U.S. patent application number 17/081405 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-27 for uplink frequency hopping in unlicensed frequency band.
The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Chih-Hao LIU, Jing SUN, Yongbin WEI, Yisheng XUE, Xiaoxia ZHANG.
Application Number | 20210160023 17/081405 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005193763 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-27 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210160023 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LIU; Chih-Hao ; et
al. |
May 27, 2021 |
UPLINK FREQUENCY HOPPING IN UNLICENSED FREQUENCY BAND
Abstract
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus,
including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for
narrowband communications using frequency hopping in an unlicensed
frequency band. In some implementations, a base station (BS) may
transmit downlink (DL) data using a sequence of DL hopping frames
on a corresponding sequence of unique hopping channels associated
with a DL frequency hopping pattern. In some implementations, each
user equipment (UE) of one or more UEs may transmit uplink (UL)
data using a sequence of UL hopping frames on a corresponding
sequence of unique hopping channels associated with a different UL
frequency hopping pattern.
Inventors: |
LIU; Chih-Hao; (San Diego,
CA) ; XUE; Yisheng; (San Diego, CA) ; ZHANG;
Xiaoxia; (San Diego, CA) ; SUN; Jing; (San
Diego, CA) ; WEI; Yongbin; (La Jolla, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005193763 |
Appl. No.: |
17/081405 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62940145 |
Nov 25, 2019 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 74/0808 20130101;
H04W 16/14 20130101; H04W 4/70 20180201; H04W 48/08 20130101; H04L
5/0012 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 5/00 20060101
H04L005/00; H04W 4/70 20060101 H04W004/70; H04W 16/14 20060101
H04W016/14; H04W 48/08 20060101 H04W048/08; H04W 74/08 20060101
H04W074/08 |
Claims
1. A method for wireless communication performed by an apparatus of
a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving a discovery reference
signal (DRS) indicating a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern;
selecting an uplink (UL) frequency hopping pattern; detecting a
signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained by a base
station on a first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping
pattern; receiving DL data on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern; and transmitting UL data on a first
hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection of the UL frequency
hopping pattern is based on the DL frequency hopping pattern and at
least one of a cell identifier, a user equipment identifier (UE
ID), or a group UE identifier.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one of the cell
identifier, the UE ID, or the group UE identifier is received in
one or more of a radio resource control (RRC) configuration, a
downlink control information (DCI) message, or the DRS.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the DL frequency hopping pattern
comprises a cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and selecting
the UL frequency hopping pattern comprises applying a constant
offset in modulo to the DL frequency hopping pattern.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the DL frequency hopping pattern
comprises a cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and the UL
frequency hopping pattern is based on the DL frequency hopping
pattern, a user equipment identifier (UE ID), and a slot index.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting at least
a portion of the UL data using configured grant (CG) resources
based on not detecting the signal within a time period.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal comprises one or more
of a system information channel occupancy time (SI-COT), a
group-common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH), or a
common transmit preamble.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the DRS is received over an
anchor channel of an unlicensed frequency band.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE receives the DL data on
the first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern
concurrently with transmitting the UL data on the first hopping
channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first hopping channel of the
UL frequency hopping pattern is configured to carry
time-multiplexed UL data or frequency-multiplexed UL data
transmitted from the UE and from one or more other UEs during a
first COT period.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the COT is obtained based on a
clear channel assessment (CCA) on the first hopping channel of the
DL frequency hopping pattern.
12. A wireless communication device, comprising: an interface
configured to: obtain a discovery reference signal (DRS) indicating
a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern; and a processing system
configured to: select an uplink (UL) frequency hopping pattern; and
the interface further configured to: obtain a signal indicating a
channel occupancy time (COT) obtained by a base station on a first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern; obtain DL data
on the first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern;
and output UL data for transmission on a first hopping channel of
the UL frequency hopping pattern.
13. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein the
selection of the UL frequency hopping pattern is based on the DL
frequency hopping pattern and at least one of a cell identifier, a
user equipment identifier (UEID), or a group UE identifier.
14. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein the DL
frequency hopping pattern comprises a cell-specific frequency
hopping pattern, and selecting the UL frequency hopping pattern
comprises applying a constant offset in modulo to the DL frequency
hopping pattern.
15. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein the DL
frequency hopping pattern comprises a cell-specific frequency
hopping pattern, and the UL frequency hopping pattern is based on
the DL frequency hopping pattern, a user equipment identifier (UE
ID), and a slot index.
16. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein the
wireless communication device receives the DL data on the first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern concurrently
with transmitting the UL data on the first hopping channel of the
UL frequency hopping pattern.
17. A method for wireless communication performed by an apparatus
of a base station (BS), comprising: transmitting a discovery
reference signal (DRS) over an unlicensed frequency band, the DRS
indicating a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern; selecting an
uplink (UL) frequency hopping pattern; transmitting a signal
indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained on a first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern; transmitting
DL data on the first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping
pattern; and receiving UL data on a first hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the selection of the UL
frequency hopping pattern is based on the DL frequency hopping
pattern and at least one of a cell identifier, a user equipment
identifier (UE ID), or a group UE identifier.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the DL frequency hopping
pattern comprises a cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and
selecting the UL frequency hopping pattern comprises applying a
constant offset in modulo to the DL frequency hopping pattern.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the DL frequency hopping
pattern comprises a cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and
the UL frequency hopping pattern is based on the DL frequency
hopping pattern, a user equipment identifier (UE ID), and a slot
index.
21. The method of claim 17, wherein the signal comprises one or
more of a system information channel occupancy time (SI-COT), a
group-common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH), or a
common transmit preamble.
22. The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting the DL data
further comprises: contending for access to the first hopping
channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern using a clear channel
assessment (CCA) procedure; and switching to another hopping
channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern after a number of
unsuccessful CCA procedures on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern.
23. The method of claim 17, wherein the first hopping channel of
the UL frequency hopping pattern is configured to carry
time-multiplexed UL data or frequency-multiplexed UL data
transmitted from the UE and from one or more other UEs during a
first COT period.
24. The method of claim 17, further comprising: selecting a
plurality of unique UL frequency hopping patterns; and allocating
each unique UL frequency hopping pattern of the plurality of unique
UL frequency hopping patterns to a respective user equipment (UE)
of a plurality of UEs.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein each unique UL frequency
hopping pattern is based at least in part on the DL frequency
hopping pattern and a unique identifier of the respective UE.
26. A wireless communication device, comprising: an interface
configured to: output a discovery reference signal (DRS) for
transmission over an unlicensed frequency band, the DRS indicating
a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern and an identifier; and
output a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained
on a first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern; and
a processing system configured to: select an uplink (UL) frequency
hopping pattern; and the interface further configured to: output DL
data for transmission on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern; and obtain UL data on a first hopping
channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.
27. The wireless communication device of claim 26, wherein the
selection of the UL frequency hopping pattern is based on the DL
frequency hopping pattern and at least one of a cell identifier, a
user equipment identifier (UEID), or a group UE identifier.
28. The wireless communication device of claim 26, wherein the
interface is further configured to: contend for access to the first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern using a clear
channel assessment (CCA) procedure; and switch to another hopping
channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern after a number of
unsuccessful CCA procedures on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern.
29. The wireless communication device of claim 26, wherein the
processing system is further configured to: select a plurality of
unique UL frequency hopping patterns; and allocate each unique UL
frequency hopping pattern of the plurality of unique UL frequency
hopping patterns to a respective user equipment (UE) of a plurality
of UEs.
30. The wireless communication device of claim 29, wherein each
unique UL frequency hopping pattern is based at least in part on
the DL frequency hopping pattern and a unique identifier of the
respective UE.
31-101. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Patent Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/940,145 entitled "UPLINK FREQUENCY
HOPPING IN UNLICENSED FREQUENCY BAND" and filed on Nov. 25, 2019,
which is assigned to the assignee hereof. The disclosures of all
prior Applications are considered part of and are incorporated by
reference in this Patent Application.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to wireless
communications, and more specifically to narrowband frequency
hopping in unlicensed radio bands.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY
[0003] Wireless communications systems are capable of supporting
communications with multiple users by sharing portions of a system
bandwidth using a multiple-access technology such as code division
multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access
(TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems,
and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems
(such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system or a Fifth Generation
(5G) New Radio (NR) system). A wireless multiple-access
communications system may include a number of base stations or
access network nodes, each simultaneously supporting communication
for multiple communication devices, which may be otherwise known as
user equipment (UE).
[0004] These multiple access technologies have been adopted in
various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol
that enables different wireless devices to communicate on a
municipal, national, regional, and even global level. An example
telecommunication standard is 5G New Radio (NR). There exists a
need for further improvements in 5G NR technology. These
improvements also may be applicable to other multi-access
technologies and the telecommunication standards that employ these
technologies.
SUMMARY
[0005] The systems, methods and devices of this disclosure each
have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely
responsible for the desirable attributes disclosed herein.
[0006] One innovative aspect of the subject matter described in
this disclosure can be implemented as a method for wireless
communication. The method may be performed by an apparatus of a
user equipment (UE), and may include receiving a discovery
reference signal (DRS) indicating a downlink (DL) frequency hopping
pattern. The method also may include selecting an uplink (UL)
frequency hopping pattern. The method also may include detecting a
signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained by a base
station on a first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping
pattern. The method also may include receiving DL data on the first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern. The method
also may include transmitting UL data on a first hopping channel of
the UL frequency hopping pattern. In some implementations, the UE
may receive the DL data on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern concurrently with transmitting the UL
data on the first hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping
pattern. In some instances, the first hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern may be configured to carry
time-multiplexed UL data or frequency-multiplexed UL data
transmitted from the UE and from one or more other UEs during a
first COT period.
[0007] In some implementations, the selection of the UL frequency
hopping pattern may be based on the DL frequency hopping pattern
and at least one of a cell identifier, a user equipment identifier
(UE ID), or a group UE identifier. In some instances, the at least
one of the cell identifier, the UE ID, or the group UE identifier
may be received in one or more of a radio resource control (RRC)
configuration, a downlink control information (DCI) message, or the
DRS. In some other implementations, the DL frequency hopping
pattern may be a cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and
selecting the UL frequency hopping pattern may include applying a
constant offset in modulo to the DL frequency hopping pattern. In
some other implementations, the DL frequency hopping pattern may be
a cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and the UL frequency
hopping pattern may be based on the DL frequency hopping pattern, a
user equipment identifier (UE ID), and a slot index.
[0008] In some implementations, the DRS also may include one or
more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary
synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH),
a system information block (SIB), a slot format indicator (SFI), or
remaining minimum system information (RMSI). In some instances, the
DRS may be received over an anchor channel, and the DRS may have a
dwell time on the anchor channel based on one or more of the 3GPP
standards. In some implementations, each of the DL frequency
hopping pattern and the UL frequency hopping pattern may include at
least 15 unique hopping channels, and each of the at least 15
unique hopping channels may have a dwell time based on one or more
of the 3GPP standards.
[0009] In some implementations, the signal indicating the COT may
be one or more of a system information channel occupancy time
(SI-COT), a group-common physical downlink control channel
(GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit preamble. In some instances, the
COT may be obtained by the base station based on a clear channel
assessment (CCA) procedure performed on the first hopping channel
of the DL frequency hopping pattern.
[0010] In some implementations, the DL data may be received over
one of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a physical
downlink control channel (PDCCH). In some other implementations,
the UL data may be transmitted over one of a physical uplink shared
channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
[0011] In some implementations, the method also may include
transmitting at least a portion of the UL data using configured
grant (CG) resources based on not detecting the signal within a
time period.
[0012] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in
this disclosure can be implemented in a user equipment (UE). The UE
may include an interface configured to obtain a discovery reference
signal (DRS) indicating a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern.
The UE also may include a processing system configured to select an
uplink (UL) frequency hopping pattern. The interface also may be
configured to obtain a signal indicating a channel occupancy time
(COT) obtained by a base station on a first hopping channel of the
DL frequency hopping pattern. The interface also may be configured
to obtain DL data on the first hopping channel of the DL frequency
hopping pattern. The interface also may be configured to output UL
data for transmission on a first hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern. In some implementations, the UE may
receive the DL data on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern concurrently with transmitting the UL
data on the first hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping
pattern. In some instances, the first hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern may be configured to carry
time-multiplexed UL data or frequency-multiplexed UL data
transmitted from the UE and from one or more other UEs during a
first COT period.
[0013] In some implementations, the selection of the UL frequency
hopping pattern may be based on the DL frequency hopping pattern
and at least one of a cell identifier, a user equipment identifier
(UE ID), or a group UE identifier. In some instances, the at least
one of the cell identifier, the UE ID, or the group UE identifier
may be received in one or more of a radio resource control (RRC)
configuration, a downlink control information (DCI) message, or the
DRS. In some other implementations, the DL frequency hopping
pattern may be a cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and
selecting the UL frequency hopping pattern may include applying a
constant offset in modulo to the DL frequency hopping pattern. In
some other implementations, the DL frequency hopping pattern may be
a cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and the UL frequency
hopping pattern may be based on the DL frequency hopping pattern, a
user equipment identifier (UE ID), and a slot index.
[0014] In some implementations, the DRS also may include one or
more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary
synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH),
a system information block (SIB), a slot format indicator (SFI), or
remaining minimum system information (RMSI). In some instances, the
DRS may be received over an anchor channel, and the DRS may have a
dwell time on the anchor channel based on one or more of the 3GPP
standards. In some implementations, each of the DL frequency
hopping pattern and the UL frequency hopping pattern may include at
least 15 unique hopping channels, and each of the at least 15
unique hopping channels may have a dwell time based on one or more
of the 3GPP standards.
[0015] In some implementations, the signal indicating the COT may
be one or more of a system information channel occupancy time
(SI-COT), a group-common physical downlink control channel
(GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit preamble. In some instances, the
COT may be obtained by the base station based on a clear channel
assessment (CCA) procedure performed on the first hopping channel
of the DL frequency hopping pattern.
[0016] In some implementations, the DL data may be received over
one of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a physical
downlink control channel (PDCCH). In some other implementations,
the UL data may be transmitted over one of a physical uplink shared
channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
[0017] In some implementations, the interface also may be
configured to transmit at least a portion of the UL data using
configured grant (CG) resources based on not detecting the signal
within a time period.
[0018] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in
this disclosure can be implemented as a method for wireless
communication. The method may be performed by an apparatus of a
base station (BS), and may include transmitting a discovery
reference signal (DRS) over an unlicensed frequency band, the DRS
indicating a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern. The method
also may include selecting an uplink (UL) frequency hopping
pattern. The method also may include transmitting a signal
indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained on a first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern. The method
also may include transmitting DL data on the first hopping channel
of the DL frequency hopping pattern. The method also may include
receiving UL data on a first hopping channel of the UL frequency
hopping pattern. In some implementations, the BS may transmit the
DL data on the first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping
pattern concurrently with receiving the UL data on the first
hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern. In some
instances, the first hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping
pattern may be configured to carry time-multiplexed UL data or
frequency-multiplexed UL data received from a plurality of
different UEs during a first COT period.
[0019] In some implementations, the selection of the UL frequency
hopping pattern may be based on the DL frequency hopping pattern
and at least one of a cell identifier, a user equipment identifier
(UE ID), or a group UE identifier. In some instances, the at least
one of the cell identifier, the UE ID, or the group UE identifier
may be provided to one or more UEs in one or more of a radio
resource control (RRC) configuration, a downlink control
information (DCI) message, or the DRS. In some other
implementations, the DL frequency hopping pattern may be a
cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and selecting the UL
frequency hopping pattern may include applying a constant offset in
modulo to the DL frequency hopping pattern. In some other
implementations, the DL frequency hopping pattern may be a
cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and the UL frequency
hopping pattern may be based on the DL frequency hopping pattern, a
user equipment identifier (UE ID), and a slot index.
[0020] In some implementations, the DRS also may include one or
more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary
synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH),
a system information block (SIB), a slot format indicator (SFI), or
remaining minimum system information (RMSI). In some instances, the
DRS may be transmitted over an anchor channel, and the DRS may have
a dwell time on the anchor channel based on one or more of the 3GPP
standards. In some implementations, each of the DL frequency
hopping pattern and the UL frequency hopping pattern may include at
least 15 unique hopping channels, and each of the at least 15
unique hopping channels may have a dwell time based on one or more
of the 3GPP standards.
[0021] In some implementations, the signal indicating the COT may
be one or more of a system information channel occupancy time
(SI-COT), a group-common physical downlink control channel
(GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit preamble. In some instances, the
COT may be obtained based on a clear channel assessment (CCA)
procedure performed on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern.
[0022] In some implementations, the DL data may be transmitted over
one of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a physical
downlink control channel (PDCCH). In some other implementations,
the UL data may be received over one of a physical uplink shared
channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
[0023] In some implementations, the method also may include
contending for access to the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern using a clear channel assessment (CCA)
procedure, and switching to another hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern after a number of unsuccessful CCA
procedures on the first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping
pattern. In some other implementations, the method also may include
selecting a plurality of unique UL frequency hopping patterns, and
allocating each unique UL frequency hopping pattern of the
plurality of unique UL frequency hopping patterns to a respective
user equipment (UE) of a plurality of UEs.
[0024] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in
this disclosure can be implemented in a BS. The BS may include an
interface configured to output a discovery reference signal (DRS)
for transmission over an unlicensed frequency band, the DRS
indicating a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern and an
identifier. The interface also may be configured to output a signal
indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained on a first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern. The BS also
may include a processing system configured to select an uplink (UL)
frequency hopping pattern. The interface also may be configured to
output DL data for transmission on the first hopping channel of the
DL frequency hopping pattern, and to obtain UL data on a first
hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern. In some
implementations, the BS may transmit the DL data on the first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern concurrently
with receiving the UL data on the first hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern. In some instances, the first hopping
channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern may be configured to
carry time-multiplexed UL data or frequency-multiplexed UL data
received from a plurality of different UEs during a first COT
period.
[0025] In some implementations, the selection of the UL frequency
hopping pattern may be based on the DL frequency hopping pattern
and at least one of a cell identifier, a user equipment identifier
(UE ID), or a group UE identifier. In some instances, the at least
one of the cell identifier, the UE ID, or the group UE identifier
may be provided to one or more UEs in one or more of a radio
resource control (RRC) configuration, a downlink control
information (DCI) message, or the DRS. In some other
implementations, the DL frequency hopping pattern may be a
cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and selecting the UL
frequency hopping pattern may include applying a constant offset in
modulo to the DL frequency hopping pattern. In some other
implementations, the DL frequency hopping pattern may be a
cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and the UL frequency
hopping pattern may be based on the DL frequency hopping pattern, a
user equipment identifier (UE ID), and a slot index.
[0026] In some implementations, the DRS also may include one or
more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary
synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH),
a system information block (SIB), a slot format indicator (SFI), or
remaining minimum system information (RMSI). In some instances, the
DRS may be transmitted over an anchor channel, and the DRS may have
a dwell time on the anchor channel based on one or more of the 3GPP
standards. In some implementations, each of the DL frequency
hopping pattern and the UL frequency hopping pattern may include at
least 15 unique hopping channels, and each of the at least 15
unique hopping channels may have a dwell time based on one or more
of the 3GPP standards.
[0027] In some implementations, the signal indicating the COT may
be one or more of a system information channel occupancy time
(SI-COT), a group-common physical downlink control channel
(GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit preamble. In some instances, the
COT may be obtained based on a clear channel assessment (CCA)
procedure performed on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern.
[0028] In some implementations, the DL data may be transmitted over
one of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a physical
downlink control channel (PDCCH). In some other implementations,
the UL data may be received over one of a physical uplink shared
channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
[0029] In some implementations, the interface also may be
configured to contend for access to the first hopping channel of
the DL frequency hopping pattern using a clear channel assessment
(CCA) procedure, and switch to another hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern after a number of unsuccessful CCA
procedures on the first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping
pattern. In some other implementations, the interface also may be
configured to select a plurality of unique UL frequency hopping
patterns, and allocate each unique UL frequency hopping pattern of
the plurality of unique UL frequency hopping patterns to a
respective user equipment (UE) of a plurality of UEs.
[0030] Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter
described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying
drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and
advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings
and the claims. Note that the relative dimensions of the following
figures may not be drawn to scale.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a diagram illustrating an example wireless
communications system and access network.
[0032] FIG. 2A shows an example of a first 5G NR frame.
[0033] FIG. 2B shows example downlink (DL) channels within a 5G NR
slot.
[0034] FIG. 2C shows an example of a second 5G NR frame.
[0035] FIG. 2D shows example uplink (UL) channels within a 5G NR
slot.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows a diagram illustrating an example base station
and user equipment (UE) in an access network.
[0037] FIG. 4 shows a sequence diagram for wireless communication
that supports frequency hopping between a base station and a
UE.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows an example frequency hopping pattern that may
be used for narrowband communications between a base station and a
UE.
[0039] FIG. 6 shows another example frequency hopping pattern that
may be used for narrowband communications between a base station
and a UE.
[0040] FIG. 7 shows another example frequency hopping pattern that
may be used for narrowband communications between a base station
and a UE.
[0041] FIG. 8 shows another example frequency hopping pattern that
may be used for narrowband communications between a base station
and a UE.
[0042] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart depicting an example operation for
wireless communication that supports frequency hopping between a
base station and a UE.
[0043] FIGS. 10A and 10B show flowcharts depicting example
operations for wireless communication that supports frequency
hopping between a base station and a
[0044] UE.
[0045] FIG. 11 shows a flowchart depicting an example operation for
wireless communication that supports frequency hopping between a
base station and a UE.
[0046] FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C show flowcharts depicting example
operations for wireless communication that supports frequency
hopping between a base station and a UE.
[0047] FIG. 13 shows a flowchart depicting an example operation for
wireless communication that supports frequency hopping between a
base station and a UE.
[0048] FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D show flowcharts depicting
example operations for wireless communication that supports
frequency hopping between a base station and a UE.
[0049] FIG. 15 shows a flowchart depicting an example operation for
wireless communication that supports frequency hopping between a
base station and a UE.
[0050] FIG. 16 shows a flowchart depicting an example operation for
wireless communication that supports frequency hopping between a
base station and a UE.
[0051] FIG. 17 shows a flowchart depicting an example operation for
wireless communication that supports frequency hopping between a
base station and a UE.
[0052] FIG. 18 shows a flowchart depicting an example operation for
wireless communication that supports frequency hopping between a
base station and a UE.
[0053] FIG. 19 shows a flowchart depicting an example operation for
wireless communication that supports frequency hopping between a
base station and a UE.
[0054] Like reference numbers and designations in the various
drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0055] The following description is directed to some particular
implementations for the purposes of describing innovative aspects
of this disclosure. However, a person having ordinary skill in the
art will readily recognize that the teachings herein can be applied
in a multitude of different ways. The described implementations can
be implemented in any device, system or network that is capable of
transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals according
to one or more of the Long Term Evolution (LTE), 3G, 4G or 5G (New
Radio (NR)) standards promulgated by the 3rd Generation Partnership
Project (3GPP), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards, the IEEE 802.15 standards, or
the Bluetooth.RTM. standards as defined by the Bluetooth Special
Interest Group (SIG), among others. The described implementations
can be implemented in any device, system or network that is capable
of transmitting and receiving RF signals according to one or more
of the following technologies or techniques: code division multiple
access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency
division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA),
single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), single-user (SU) multiple-input
multiple-output (MIMO) and multi-user (MU) MIMO. The described
implementations also can be implemented using other wireless
communication protocols or RF signals suitable for use in one or
more of a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless personal
area network (WPAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), or an
Internet of things (IOT) network.
[0056] Implementations of the subject matter described in this
disclosure may allow user equipments (UEs) and base stations (BSs)
operating according to 5G NR protocols to exchange data and other
information using narrowband communications with frequency hopping
in an unlicensed frequency band. In accordance with some aspects of
the present disclosure, a base station and a UE may exchange
downlink (DL) data using a DL frequency hopping pattern
concurrently with exchanging uplink (UL) data using an UL frequency
hopping pattern. The DL frequency hopping pattern may include a
first sequence of hopping channels, and the UL frequency hopping
pattern may include a second sequence of hopping channels different
than the first sequence of hopping channels. Each hopping channel
of the first sequence of hopping channels may be associated with a
corresponding DL hopping frame of a sequence of DL hopping frames,
and each hopping channel of the second sequence of hopping channels
may be associated with a corresponding UL hopping frame of a
sequence of UL hopping frames. In some implementations, each
hopping channel of the first sequence of hopping channels may be
separated from a corresponding hopping channel of the second
sequence of hopping channels by a gap frequency configured or
selected to reduce interference between DL and UL
transmissions.
[0057] In some implementations, the base station may transmit, on
an anchor channel of a frequency spectrum, a discovery reference
signal (DRS) indicating at least one of the DL frequency hopping
pattern or the UL frequency hopping pattern. After transmission of
the DRS, the base station and the UE may move to a first hopping
channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern. The base station may
contend for medium access on the first hopping channel using a
clear channel assessment (CCA) procedure, and may transmit a signal
indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained by the base
station on the first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping
pattern. The UE may detect the signal, and may receive DL data on
the first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern
concurrently with transmitting UL data on a first hopping channel
of the UL frequency hopping pattern. If the UE does not detect the
signal within a time period (such as because the base station did
not obtain a COT on the first DL hopping channel), the UE may
transmit at least a portion of the UL data using configured grant
(CG) resources.
[0058] In some implementations, a UE may be configured to operate
as a full-duplex device, and the DL and UL frequency hopping
patterns may be based on the same cell-specific frequency hopping
pattern such that each DL hopping channel of the DL frequency
hopping pattern is separated from a corresponding UL hopping
channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern by a gap frequency. The
resulting frequency hopping configuration may allow the UE to
receive DL data on each DL hopping channel concurrently with
transmitting UL data on a corresponding UL hopping channel. In some
other implementations, a plurality of UEs may be configured to
operate as half-duplex devices, and each of the plurality of UEs
may be allocated or assigned a different UL frequency hopping
pattern. In this manner, multiple UEs may concurrently transmit UL
data using a multitude of different UL hopping channels.
[0059] Particular implementations of the subject matter described
in this disclosure can be implemented to realize one or more of the
following potential advantages. The ability of base stations and
UEs to communicate with each other using narrowband communications
in an unlicensed frequency band may improve channel access because
there may be less contention on relatively small frequency bands
(such as the hopping channels associated with the DL and UL
frequency hopping patterns) than on relatively large frequency
bands (such as primary channels used in wideband communications).
Unlicensed frequency bands may be more ubiquitous than licensed
portions of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum, and therefore
narrowband communications performed in one or more unlicensed
frequency bands may provide better coverage for wireless
communication devices (such as base stations and UEs) than
communications performed solely on licensed portions of the RF
spectrum. Further, employing frequency hopping techniques in
narrowband communications on one or more unlicensed frequency bands
may reduce interference from other wireless communication devices
operating on unlicensed frequency bands by exploiting the frequency
diversity of the unlicensed frequency bands.
[0060] In some implementations for which a UE operates as a
full-duplex device, the ability to receive DL data on a DL hopping
channel while concurrently transmitting UL data on an UL hopping
channel may increase DL and UL throughput (such as compared with
UEs that operate as half-duplex devices). In some other
implementations for which UEs operate as half-duplex devices or for
which UL throughput is more important than DL throughput,
allocating different UL frequency hopping patterns to different UEs
may allow multiple UEs to concurrently transmit UL data, thereby
increasing UL throughput. In some implementations, the different UL
frequency hopping patterns may be uncoordinated relative to each
other in order to avoid certain restrictions on communications that
employ frequency hopping techniques. In some other implementations,
the different UL frequency hopping patterns may be coordinated
relative to each other to reduce collisions on a shared wireless
medium.
[0061] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be
presented with reference to various apparatus and methods. These
apparatus and methods will be described in the following detailed
description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various
blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc.
(collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements may be
implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any
combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as
hardware or software depends upon the particular application and
design constraints imposed on the overall system.
[0062] By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element,
or any combination of elements may be implemented as a "processing
system" that includes one or more processors. Examples of
processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics
processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs),
application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced
instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on a chip
(SoC), baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),
programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic,
discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured
to perform the various functionality described throughout this
disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system may
execute software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean
instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code,
programs, subprograms, software components, applications, software
applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects,
executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc.,
whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode,
hardware description language, or otherwise.
[0063] Accordingly, in one or more example implementations, the
functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, or
any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions
may be stored on or encoded as one or more instructions or code on
a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes
computer storage media. Storage media may be any available media
that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not
limitation, such computer-readable media can include a
random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an
electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk
storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices,
combinations of the aforementioned types of computer-readable
media, or any other medium that can be used to store computer
executable code in the form of instructions or data structures that
can be accessed by a computer.
[0064] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an example wireless communications
system 100. The wireless communications system 100 includes base
stations 102, UEs 104, an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 160, and
another core network 190 (such as a 5G Core (5GC)). The base
stations 102 may include macrocells (high power cellular base
station) or small cells (low power cellular base station). The
macrocells include base stations. The small cells include
femtocells, picocells, and microcells.
[0065] The base stations 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively
referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
(UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) may interface
with the EPC 160 through backhaul links 132 (such as the S1
interface). The base stations 102 configured for 5G NR
(collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) may
interface with core network 190 through backhaul links 184. In
addition to other functions, the base stations 102 may perform one
or more of the following functions: transfer of user data, radio
channel ciphering and deciphering, integrity protection, header
compression, mobility control functions (such as handover, dual
connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection
setup and release, load balancing, distribution for non-access
stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio
access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast
service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment trace, RAN information
management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning
messages. The base stations 102 may communicate directly or
indirectly (such as through the EPC 160 or core network 190) with
each other over backhaul links 134 (such as the X2 interface). The
backhaul links 134 may be wired or wireless.
[0066] The base stations 102 may wirelessly communicate with the
UEs 104. Each of the base stations 102 may provide communication
coverage for a respective geographic coverage area 110. There may
be overlapping geographic coverage areas 110. For example, the
small cell 102' may have a coverage area 110' that overlaps the
coverage area 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network
that includes both small cell and macrocells may be known as a
heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network also may include
Home Evolved Node Bs (eNBs) (HeNBs), which may provide service to a
restricted group known as a closed subscriber group (CSG). The
communication links 120 between the base stations 102 and the UEs
104 may include uplink (UL) (also referred to as reverse link)
transmissions from a UE 104 to a base station 102 or downlink (DL)
(also referred to as forward link) transmissions from a base
station 102 to a UE 104. The communication links 120 may use
multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology,
including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, or transmit diversity.
The communication links may be through one or more carriers. The
base stations 102/UEs 104 may use spectrum up to Y MHz (such as 5
MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 100 MHz, 400 MHz, etc.) bandwidth per
carrier allocated in a carrier aggregation of up to a total of Yx
MHz (x component carriers) used for transmission in each direction.
The carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. Allocation
of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (such as
more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL than for UL). The
component carriers may include a primary component carrier and one
or more secondary component carriers. A primary component carrier
may be referred to as a primary cell (PCell) and a secondary
component carrier may be referred to as a secondary cell
(SCell).
[0067] Some UEs 104 may communicate with each other using
device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. The D2D
communication link 158 may use the DL/UL WWAN spectrum. The D2D
communication link 158 may use one or more sidelink channels, such
as a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical
sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical sidelink shared
channel (PSSCH), and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH).
D2D communication may be through a variety of wireless D2D
communications systems, such as for example, FlashLinQ, WiMedia,
Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, LTE, or
NR.
[0068] The wireless communications system may further include a
Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 in communication with Wi-Fi stations
(STAs) 152 via communication links 154 in a 5 GHz unlicensed
frequency spectrum. When communicating in an unlicensed frequency
spectrum, the STAs 152/AP 150 may perform a clear channel
assessment (CCA) prior to communicating in order to determine
whether the channel is available.
[0069] The small cell 102' may operate in a licensed or an
unlicensed frequency spectrum. When operating in an unlicensed
frequency spectrum, the small cell 102' may employ NR and use the
same 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum as used by the Wi-Fi AP
150. The small cell 102', employing NR in an unlicensed frequency
spectrum, may boost coverage to or increase capacity of the access
network.
[0070] A base station 102, whether a small cell 102' or a large
cell (such as a macro base station), may include an eNB, gNodeB
(gNB), or another type of base station. Some base stations, such as
gNB 180, may operate in a traditional sub 6 GHz spectrum, in
millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies, or near mmW frequencies in
communication with the UE 104. When the gNB 180 operates in mmW or
near mmW frequencies, the gNB 180 may be referred to as a
millimeter wave or mmW base station. Extremely high frequency (EHF)
is part of the RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range
of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 millimeter and 10
millimeters. Radio waves in the band may be referred to as a
millimeter wave. Near mmW may extend down to a frequency of 3 GHz
with a wavelength of 100 millimeters. The super high frequency
(SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, also referred to as
centimeter wave. Communications using the mmW/near mmW radio
frequency band (such as between 3 GHz-300 GHz) has extremely high
path loss and a short range. The mmW base station 180 may utilize
beamforming 182 with the UE 104 to compensate for the extremely
high path loss and short range.
[0071] The base station 180 may transmit a beamformed signal to the
UE 104 in one or more transmit directions 182'. The UE 104 may
receive the beamformed signal from the base station 180 in one or
more receive directions 182''. The UE 104 also may transmit a
beamformed signal to the base station 180 in one or more transmit
directions. The base station 180 may receive the beamformed signal
from the UE 104 in one or more receive directions. The base station
180 and UE 104 may perform beam training to determine the best
receive and transmit directions for each of the base station 180
and UE 104. The transmit and receive directions for the base
station 180 may or may not be the same. The transmit and receive
directions for the UE 104 may or may not be the same.
[0072] The EPC 160 may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME)
162, other MMEs 164, a Serving Gateway 166, a Multimedia Broadcast
Multicast Service (MBMS) Gateway 168, a Broadcast Multicast Service
Center (BM-SC) 170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172.
The MME 162 may be in communication with a Home Subscriber Server
(HSS) 174. The MME 162 is the control node that processes the
signaling between the UEs 104 and the EPC 160. Generally, the MME
162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet
protocol (IP) packets are transferred through the Serving Gateway
166, which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway 172. The PDN
Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation as well as other
functions. The PDN Gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 are connected to
the IP Services 176. The IP Services 176 may include the Internet,
an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS Streaming
Service, or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 may provide functions
for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 170 may
serve as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmission, may
be used to authorize and initiate MBMS Bearer Services within a
public land mobile network (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS
transmissions. The MBMS Gateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS
traffic to the base stations 102 belonging to a Multicast Broadcast
Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area broadcasting a particular
service, and may be responsible for session management (start/stop)
and for collecting MBMS related charging information.
[0073] The core network 190 may include an Access and Mobility
Management Function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a Session Management
Function (SMF) 194, and a User Plane Function (UPF) 195. The AMF
192 may be in communication with a Unified Data Management (UDM)
196. The AMF 192 is the control node that processes the signaling
between the UEs 104 and the core network 190. Generally, the AMF
192 provides QoS flow and session management. All user Internet
protocol (IP) packets are transferred through the UPF 195. The UPF
195 provides UE IP address allocation as well as other functions.
The UPF 195 is connected to the IP Services 197. The IP Services
197 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia
Subsystem (IMS), a PS Streaming Service, or other IP services.
[0074] The base station also may be referred to as a gNB, Node B,
evolved Node B (eNB), an access point, a base transceiver station,
a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function,
a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), a
transmit reception point (TRP), or some other suitable terminology.
The base station 102 provides an access point to the EPC 160 or
core network 190 for a UE 104. Examples of UEs 104 include a
cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP)
phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite
radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video
device, a digital audio player (such as an MP3 player), a camera, a
game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, a
vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen
appliance, a healthcare device, an implant, a sensor/actuator, a
display, or any other similar functioning device. Some of the UEs
104 may be referred to as IoT devices (such as a parking meter, gas
pump, toaster, vehicles, heart monitor, etc.). The UE 104 also may
be referred to as a station, a mobile station, a subscriber
station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a
remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless
communications device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber
station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless
terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile
client, a client, or some other suitable terminology.
[0075] The wireless communications system 100 may utilize both
licensed and unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For
example, the wireless system 100 may employ LTE License Assisted
Access (LTE-LAA), LTE Unlicensed (LTE U) radio access technology,
or 5G NR technology in an unlicensed radio band (such as the 5 GHz
Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band or the 6 GHz UNIT
bands). When operating in unlicensed radio bands, wireless
communication devices (such as the base stations 102 and UEs 104)
may employ listen-before-talk (LBT) channel access mechanisms to
ensure the channel is clear before transmitting data. In some
instances, operations in unlicensed radio bands may be based on a
carrier aggregation (CA) configuration in conjunction with
component carriers (CCs) operating in a licensed band. Operations
in unlicensed radio bands may include downlink transmissions,
uplink transmissions, or both. Duplexing in unlicensed radio bands
may be based on frequency division duplexing (FDD), time division
duplexing (TDD) or a combination of both.
[0076] FIG. 2A shows an example of a first slot 200 within a 5G/NR
frame structure. FIG. 2B shows an example of DL channels 230 within
a 5G/NR slot. FIG. 2C shows an example of a second slot 250 within
a 5G/NR frame structure. FIG. 2D shows an example of UL channels
280 within a 5G/NR slot. In some cases, the 5G/NR frame structure
may be FDD in which, for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier
system bandwidth), slots within the set of subcarriers are
dedicated for either DL or UL transmissions. In other cases, the
5G/NR frame structure may be TDD in which, for a particular set of
subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), slots within the set of
subcarriers are dedicated for both DL and UL transmissions. In the
examples shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C, the 5G/NR frame structure is
based on TDD, with slot 4 configured with slot format 28 (with
mostly DL), where D indicates DL, U indicates UL, and X indicates
that the slot is flexible for use between DL and UL, and with slot
3 configured with slot format 34 (with mostly UL). While slots 3
and 4 are shown with slot formats 34 and 28, respectively, any
particular slot may be configured with any of the various available
slot formats 0-61. Slot formats 0 and 1 are all DL and all UL,
respectively. Other slot formats 2-61 include a mix of DL, UL, and
flexible symbols. UEs may be configured with the slot format,
either dynamically through downlink control information (DCI) or
semi-statically through radio resource control (RRC) signaling by a
slot format indicator (SFI). The configured slot format also may
apply to a 5G/NR frame structure that is based on FDD.
[0077] Other wireless communication technologies may have a
different frame structure or different channels. A frame may be
divided into a number of equally sized subframes. For example, a
frame having a duration of 10 microseconds (.mu.s) may be divided
into 10 equally sized subframes each having a duration of 1 .mu.s.
Each subframe may include one or more time slots. Subframes also
may include mini-slots, which may include 7, 4, or 2 symbols. Each
slot may include 7 or 14 symbols, depending on the slot
configuration. For slot configuration 0, each slot may include 14
symbols, and for slot configuration 1, each slot may include 7
symbols. The symbols on DL may be cyclic prefix (CP) OFDM (CP-OFDM)
symbols. The symbols on UL may be CP-OFDM symbols (such as for high
throughput scenarios) or discrete Fourier transform (DFT) spread
OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols (also referred to as single carrier
frequency-division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbols) (such as for
power limited scenarios).
[0078] The number of slots within a subframe is based on the slot
configuration and the numerology. For slot configuration 0,
different numerologies (.mu.) 0 to 5 allow for 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and
32 slots, respectively, per subframe. For slot configuration 1,
different numerologies 0 to 2 allow for 2, 4, and 8 slots,
respectively, per subframe. Accordingly, for slot configuration 0
and numerology .mu., there are 14 symbols per slot and 2.mu. slots
per subframe. The subcarrier spacing and symbol length/duration are
a function of the numerology. The subcarrier spacing may be equal
to 2{circumflex over ( )}.mu.*15 kHz, where .mu. is the numerology
0 to 5. As such, the numerology .mu.=0 has a subcarrier spacing of
15 kHz, and the numerology .mu.=5 has a subcarrier spacing of 480
kHz. The symbol length/duration is inversely related to the
subcarrier spacing. FIGS. 2A-2D provide an example of slot
configuration 0 with 14 symbols per slot and numerology .mu.=0 with
1 slot per subframe. The subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz and symbol
duration is approximately 66.7 microseconds (.mu.s).
[0079] A resource grid may be used to represent the frame
structure. Each time slot includes a resource block (RB) (also
referred to as a physical RB (PRB)) that extends across 12
consecutive subcarriers and across a number of symbols. The
intersections of subcarriers and across 14 symbols. The
intersections of subcarriers and of the RB define multiple resource
elements (REs). The number of bits carried by each RE depends on
the modulation scheme.
[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, some of the REs carry a reference
signal (RS) for the UE. In some configurations, one or more REs may
carry a demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) (indicated as Rx for
one particular configuration, where 100x is the port number, but
other DM-RS configurations are possible). In some configurations,
one or more REs may carry a channel state information reference
signal (CSI-RS) for channel measurement at the UE. The REs also may
include a beam measurement reference signal (BRS), a beam
refinement reference signal (BRRS), and a phase tracking reference
signal (PT-RS).
[0081] FIG. 2B illustrates an example of various DL channels within
a subframe of a frame. The physical downlink control channel
(PDCCH) carries DCI within one or more control channel elements
(CCEs), each CCE including nine RE groups (REGs), each REG
including four consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol. A primary
synchronization signal (PSS) may be within symbol 2 of particular
subframes of a frame. The PSS is used by a UE 104 to determine
subframe or symbol timing and a physical layer identity. A
secondary synchronization signal (SSS) may be within symbol 4 of
particular subframes of a frame. The SSS is used by a UE to
determine a physical layer cell identity group number and radio
frame timing. Based on the physical layer identity and the physical
layer cell identity group number, the UE can determine a physical
cell identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the
locations of the aforementioned DM-RS. The physical broadcast
channel (PBCH), which carries a master information block (MIB), may
be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form a synchronization
signal (SS)/PBCH block. The MIB provides a number of RBs in the
system bandwidth and a system frame number (SFN). The physical
downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system
information not transmitted through the PBCH such as system
information blocks (SIBs), and paging messages.
[0082] As illustrated in FIG. 2C, some of the REs carry DM-RS
(indicated as R for one particular configuration, but other DM-RS
configurations are possible) for channel estimation at the base
station. The UE may transmit DM-RS for the physical uplink control
channel (PUCCH) and DM-RS for the physical uplink shared channel
(PUSCH). The PUSCH DM-RS may be transmitted in the first one or two
symbols of the PUSCH. The PUCCH DM-RS may be transmitted in
different configurations depending on whether short or long PUCCHs
are transmitted and depending on the particular PUCCH format used.
Although not shown, the UE may transmit sounding reference signals
(SRS). The SRS may be used by a base station for channel quality
estimation to enable frequency-dependent scheduling on the UL.
[0083] FIG. 2D illustrates an example of various UL channels within
a subframe of a frame. The PUCCH may be located as indicated in one
configuration. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI),
such as scheduling requests, a channel quality indicator (CQI), a
precoding matrix indicator (PMI), a rank indicator (RI), and HARQ
ACK/NACK feedback. The PUSCH carries data, and may additionally be
used to carry a buffer status report (BSR), a power headroom report
(PHR), or UCI.
[0084] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an example base station 310
and UE 350 in an access network. In the DL, IP packets from the EPC
160 may be provided to a controller/processor 375 of the base
station 310. The controller/processor 375 may implement layer 3 and
layer 2 functionality. Layer 3 includes a radio resource control
(RRC) layer, and layer 2 includes a service data adaptation
protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP)
layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a medium access
control (MAC) layer. The controller/processor 375 also may provide
RRC layer functionality associated with broadcasting of system
information (such as the MIB and SIBs), RRC connection control
(such as RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC
connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter radio
access technology (RAT) mobility, and measurement configuration for
UE measurement reporting. The controller/processor 375 also may
provide PDCP layer functionality associated with header
compression/decompression, security (such as ciphering,
deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification), and
handover support functions. The controller/processor 375 also may
provide RLC layer functionality associated with the transfer of
upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction through ARQ,
concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data
units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of
RLC data PDUs. The controller/processor 375 also may provide MAC
layer functionality associated with mapping between logical
channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto
transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs,
scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ,
priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.
[0085] In some implementations, controller/processor 375 may be a
component of a processing system. A processing system may generally
refer to a system or series of machines or components that receives
inputs and processes the inputs to produce a set of outputs (which
may be passed to other systems or components of, for example, the
base station 310). For example, a processing system of the base
station 310 may refer to a system including the various other
components or subcomponents of the base station 310.
[0086] The processing system of the base station 310 may interface
with other components of the base station 310, and may process
information received from other components (such as inputs or
signals), output information to other components, and the like. For
example, a chip or modem of the base station 310 may include a
processing system, a first interface to receive or obtain
information, and a second interface to output, transmit or provide
information. In some instances, the first interface may refer to an
interface between the processing system of the chip or modem and a
receiver, such that the base station 310 may receive information or
signal inputs, and the information may be passed to the processing
system. In some instances, the second interface may refer to an
interface between the processing system of the chip or modem and a
transmitter, such that the base station 310 may transmit
information output from the chip or modem. A person having ordinary
skill in the art will readily recognize that the second interface
also may obtain or receive information or signal inputs, and the
first interface also may output, transmit or provide
information.
[0087] The transmit (TX) processor 316 and the receive (RX)
processor 370 implement layer 1 functionality associated with
various signal processing functions. Layer 1, which includes a
physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport
channels, forward error correction (FEC) coding/decoding of the
transport channels, interleaving, rate matching, mapping onto
physical channels, modulation/demodulation of physical channels,
and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor 316 handles mapping
to signal constellations based on various modulation schemes (such
as binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying
(QPSK), M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude
modulation (M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols may be split
into parallel streams. Each stream may be mapped to an OFDM
subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (such as a pilot
signal) in the time or frequency domain, and combined together
using an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) to produce a
physical channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The
OFDM stream is spatially pre-coded to produce multiple spatial
streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator 374 may be used
to determine the coding and modulation scheme, as well as for
spatial processing. The channel estimate may be derived from a
reference signal or channel condition feedback transmitted by the
UE 350. Each spatial stream may be provided to a different antenna
320 via a separate transmitter 318TX. Each transmitter 318TX may
modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for
transmission.
[0088] At the UE 350, each receiver 354RX receives a signal through
its respective antenna 352. Each receiver 354RX recovers
information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the
information to the receive (RX) processor 356. The TX processor 368
and the RX processor 356 implement layer 1 functionality associated
with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 356 may
perform spatial processing on the information to recover any
spatial streams destined for the UE 350. If multiple spatial
streams are destined for the UE 350, they may be combined by the RX
processor 356 into a single OFDM symbol stream. The RX processor
356 converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time-domain to the
frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The
frequency domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for
each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier,
and the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated by
determining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted
by the base station 310. These soft decisions may be based on
channel estimates computed by the channel estimator 358. The soft
decisions are decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and
control signals that were originally transmitted by the base
station 310 on the physical channel. The data and control signals
are provided to the controller/processor 359, which implements
layer 3 and layer 2 functionality.
[0089] The controller/processor 359 can be associated with a memory
360 that stores program codes and data. The memory 360 may be
referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the
controller/processor 359 provides demultiplexing between transport
and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header
decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets
from the EPC 160. The controller/processor 359 is also responsible
for error detection using an ACK or NACK protocol to support HARQ
operations.
[0090] Similar to the functionality described in connection with
the DL transmission by the base station 310, the
controller/processor 359 of the UE 350 provides RRC layer
functionality associated with system information (such as the MIB
and SIB s) acquisition, RRC connections, and measurement reporting;
PDCP layer functionality associated with header
compression/decompression, and security (ciphering, deciphering,
integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer
functionality associated with the transfer of upper layer PDUs,
error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and
reassembly of RLC SDUs, re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and
reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated
with mapping between logical channels and transport channels,
multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from
TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through
HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.
[0091] In some implementations, the controller/processor 359 may be
a component of a processing system. A processing system may
generally refer to a system or series of machines or components
that receives inputs and processes the inputs to produce a set of
outputs (which may be passed to other systems or components of the
UE 350). For example, a processing system of the UE 350 may refer
to a system including the various other components or subcomponents
of the UE 350.
[0092] The processing system of the UE 350 may interface with other
components of the UE 350, and may process information received from
other components (such as inputs or signals), output information to
other components, and the like. For example, a chip or modem of the
UE 350 may include a processing system, a first interface to
receive or obtain information, and a second interface to output or
transmit information. In some instances, the first interface may
refer to an interface between the processing system of the chip or
modem and a receiver, such that the UE 350 may receive information
or signal inputs, and the information may be passed to the
processing system. In some instances, the second interface may
refer to an interface between the processing system of the chip or
modem and a transmitter, such that the UE 350 may transmit
information output from the chip or modem. A person having ordinary
skill in the art will readily recognize that the second interface
also may obtain or receive information or signal inputs, and the
first interface also may output, transmit or provide
information.
[0093] Channel estimates derived by a channel estimator 358 from a
reference signal or feedback transmitted by the base station 310
may be used by the TX processor 368 to select the appropriate
coding and modulation schemes, and to facilitate spatial
processing. The spatial streams generated by the TX processor 368
may be provided to different antenna 352 via separate transmitters
354TX. Each transmitter 354TX may modulate an RF carrier with a
respective spatial stream for transmission.
[0094] The UL transmission is processed at the base station 310 in
a manner similar to that described in connection with the receiver
function at the UE 350. Each receiver 318RX receives a signal
through its respective antenna 320. Each receiver 318RX recovers
information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the
information to a RX processor 370.
[0095] The controller/processor 375 can be associated with a memory
376 that stores program codes and data. The memory 376 may be
referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the
controller/processor 375 provides demultiplexing between transport
and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header
decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from
the UE 350. IP packets from the controller/processor 375 may be
provided to the EPC 160. The controller/processor 375 is also
responsible for error detection using an ACK or NACK protocol to
support HARQ operations. Information to be wirelessly communicated
(such as for LTE or NR based communications) is encoded and mapped,
at the PHY layer, to one or more wireless channels for
transmission.
[0096] In the example of FIG. 3, each antenna 352 of the UE 350 is
coupled to a respective transmitter 354TX. In some other
implementations, some UEs may have fewer transmitters (or transmit
chains) than receive (RX) antennas. Although not shown for
simplicity, each transmitter may be coupled to a respective power
amplifier (PA) which amplifies the signal to be transmitted. The
combination of a transmitter with a PA may be referred to herein as
a "transmit chain" or "TX chain." To save on cost or die area, the
same PA may be reused to transmit signals over multiple RX
antennas. In other words, one or more TX chains of a UE may be
switchably coupled to multiple RX antennas ports.
[0097] Narrowband communications involve communicating with a
limited frequency bandwidth (such as compared to wideband
communications typically used by cellular and Wi-Fi devices), and
may be implemented in an unlicensed frequency band. An unlicensed
frequency band may refer to a radio-frequency (RF) band that is
open for shared use by any device that complies with regulatory
agency rules for communicating via the RF band. In some
implementations, the unlicensed frequency band may include one or
more radio frequencies in the 5 GHz band (such as the UNIT
frequency bands between approximately 5.15 GHz and approximately
5.825 GHz). In some other implementations, the unlicensed frequency
band may include one or more radio frequencies in the 2.4 GHz band
(such as radio frequencies between approximately 2.4 GHz and 2.48
GHz typically used by Wi-Fi devices and wireless networks). In some
other implementations, the unlicensed frequency band may include
one or more radio frequencies in the 6 GHz band.
[0098] In contrast to most licensed RF bands, users of unlicensed
frequency bands typically do not have regulatory protection against
radio interference from devices of other users, and may be subject
to radio interference caused by other devices that use the
unlicensed frequency band. Because unlicensed frequency bands may
be shared by devices operating according to different communication
protocols (such as the 3GPP standards for LTE and 5G NR devices and
the IEEE 802.11 standards for Wi-Fi devices), a device operating in
an unlicensed frequency band typically contends with other nearby
devices for medium access before transmitting data on the
unlicensed frequency band.
[0099] When communicating in an unlicensed frequency band, a UE or
base station may need to coexist or share the unlicensed frequency
band with other devices. One way to promote coexistence with other
devices is to use a listen-before-talk or listen-before-transmit
(LBT) procedure to determine that the shared wireless medium has
been idle for a duration before attempting transmissions on the
shared wireless medium. In some implementations, LBT procedures may
be used with frequency hopping techniques to increase the
likelihood of finding a clear channel for communication.
[0100] FIG. 4 shows a sequence diagram depicting communications 400
between a base station 402 and a UE 404 in a radio access network
(RAN). The base station 402 may be one example of the base station
102 of FIG. 1 or the base station 310 of FIG. 3, the UE 404 may be
one example of the UE 104 of FIG. 1 or the UE 350 of FIG. 3, and
the radio access network may be any suitable RAN including, for
example, a 5G NR access network. In some implementations, the
communications 400 may be narrowband communications in an
unlicensed frequency band. Although described herein with reference
to unlicensed portions of the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the
communications 400 may be performed on one or more other unlicensed
frequency bands (such as one or more of the UNIT bands in the 5 GHz
frequency band, unlicensed portions of the 6 GHz frequency band, or
other unlicensed frequency bands).
[0101] The base station 402 and UE 404 may use frequency hopping to
exploit the frequency diversity in the unlicensed frequency band.
The base station 402 may transmit DL data to the UE 404 according
to a DL frequency hopping pattern that includes a first sequence of
hopping channels, and the UE 404 may transmit UL data to the base
station 402 according to an UL frequency hopping pattern that
includes a second sequence of hopping channels different than the
first sequence of hopping channels. In some implementations, each
hopping channel of the first sequence of hopping channels may be
associated with a corresponding DL hopping frame of a sequence of
DL hopping frames, and each hopping channel of the second sequence
of hopping channels may be associated with a corresponding UL
hopping frame of a sequence of UL hopping frames. The DL hopping
frames may be used to transmit DL data on corresponding hopping
channels of the DL frequency hopping pattern, and the UL hopping
frames may be used to transmit UL data on corresponding hopping
channels of the UL frequency hopping pattern. In some
implementations, the DL hopping channels may be separated from
corresponding UL hopping channels by a frequency gap configured or
selected to reduce interference between DL and UL transmissions
associated with the communications 400.
[0102] The base station 402 may transmit a discovery reference
signal (DRS) to the UE 404 on an anchor channel of the RAN. The DRS
may indicate at least one of the DL frequency hopping pattern or
the UL frequency hopping pattern. In some implementations, the DRS
may indicate locations of the DL hopping channels and the UL
hopping channels, an order in which the UE 404 is to hop between
the DL and UL hopping channels, the dwell time on each hopping
channel, a duration of the DL and UL hopping frames, the gap
frequency, or any combination thereof. In some other
implementations, the DRS may indicate locations of the DL hopping
channels, and the UE 404 may determine or derive the corresponding
UL hopping channels, for example, by applying a constant offset in
modulo to the DL hopping channels.
[0103] The DRS also may carry system information that includes one
or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary
synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH),
a system information block (SIB), or a slot format indicator (SFI).
In some implementations, the DRS may include a remaining minimum
system information (RMSI) field containing information indicative
of at least one of the DL frequency hopping pattern or the UL
frequency hopping pattern.
[0104] The UE 404 may receive the DRS and use information contained
therein to determine the locations of the DL hopping channels and
the locations of the UL hopping channels. After transmission of the
DRS, the base station 402 and the UE 404 may jump to the first DL
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern. The base
station 402 may transmit DL data, reference signals, configured
grants, and other information on the first DL hopping channel, and
the UE 404 may monitor the first DL hopping channel for the DL
data, the reference signals, the configured grants, and the other
information.
[0105] In some implementations, the base station 402 may contend
for medium access to the first DL hopping channel using a CCA-based
channel access procedure, and may obtain access to the first DL
hopping channel for a channel occupancy time (COT) based on winning
the contention operation. The base station 402 may transmit a
signal informing the UE 404 of the obtained COT on the first DL
hopping channel. The signal may be one or more of system
information channel occupancy time (SI-COT), a group-common
physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit
preamble, and the UE 404 may be configured to monitor the first DL
hopping channel for the signal.
[0106] If the UE 404 detects the signal (which may indicate that
the base station 402 has queued DL data to transmit), the base
station 402 and the UE 404 may begin exchanging data with each
other on the first DL hopping channel and the first UL hopping
channel during the DRS period. In some implementations, the UE 404
may be configured for full-duplex operation, and may receive DL
data on the first DL hopping channel concurrently with transmitting
UL data on the first UL hopping channel. In some other
implementations, the UE 404 may be configured for half-duplex
operation, and may receive DL data on the first DL hopping channel
during one or more first time slots of the COT and transmit UL data
on the first UL hopping channel during one or more second time
slots of the COT (such as by time-multiplexing the DL and UL
transmissions). If the UE 404 does not detect the signal within a
time period after transmission of the DRS, the UE 404 may jump to
the next DL hopping channel or may transmit UL data to the base
station 402 using configured grant (CG) resources.
[0107] The base station 402 and the UE 404 may return to the anchor
channel at the end of the first DRS period. The base station 402
may transmit a second DRS on the anchor channel to indicate the
beginning of a second DRS period. After transmission of the second
DRS, the base station 402 and the UE 404 may jump to the second DL
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern. The base
station 402 may transmit DL data, reference signals, configured
grants, and other information on the second DL hopping channel
during the second DRS period, and the UE 404 may monitor the second
DL hopping channel for the DL data, the reference signals, the
configured grants, and the other information. In some
implementations, the UE 404 may receive DL data on the second DL
hopping channel concurrently with transmitting UL data on the
second UL hopping channel. In some other implementations, the UE
404 may receive DL data on the second DL hopping channel during one
or more first time slots within the second DRS period, and may
transmit UL data on the second UL hopping channel during one or
more second time slots within the second DRS period.
[0108] The base station 402 and the UE 404 may perform the
above-described operations for each hopping channel of the DL and
UL frequency hopping patterns, after which the DL and UL frequency
hopping patterns may be sequenced again by the base station 402 and
the UE 404 to perform additional narrowband communications in the
unlicensed frequency band.
[0109] FIG. 5 shows an example frequency hopping pattern 500 that
may be used for narrowband communications between the base station
402 and the UE 404. In some implementations, the frequency hopping
pattern 500 may be a cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and
may be based at least in part on a cell ID and a slot index. The
frequency hopping pattern 500 includes a DL frequency hopping
pattern 510 and an UL frequency hopping pattern 520. The DL
frequency hopping pattern 510 and the UL frequency hopping pattern
520 each may include any suitable number (N) of unique hopping
channels (also referred to as hopping frequencies or frequency
sub-bands). In some implementations, the DL frequency hopping
pattern 510 and the UL frequency hopping pattern 520 each may
include N=15 different hopping channels. In some other
implementations, the DL frequency hopping pattern 510 and the UL
frequency hopping pattern 520 each may include more than 15
different hopping channels. In aspects for which the base station
402 and the UE 404 exchange data using narrowband communications in
the 2.4 GHz frequency spectrum, the anchor channel may have a
bandwidth of less than 5 MHz, and each of the DL hopping channels
and UL hopping channels may have a bandwidth not greater than 5
MHz.
[0110] The DL frequency hopping pattern 510 includes a first
sequence of hopping channels upon which a sequence of DL hopping
frames 510-1 to 510-N may be used to transmit DL data to the UE
404, and the UL frequency hopping pattern 520 includes a second
sequence of hopping channels upon which a sequence of UL hopping
frames 520-1 to 520-N may be used to transmit UL data to the base
station 402. Each of the hopping channels of the DL frequency
hopping pattern 510 is separated from a corresponding hopping
channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern 520 by a gap frequency
that is configured or selected to minimize interference between DL
and UL transmissions. For example, the first DL hopping frame 510-1
is separated from the first UL hopping frame 520-1 by a first
frequency gap FRgap-1, the second DL hopping frame 510-2 is
separated from the second UL hopping frame 520-2 by a second
frequency gap FRgap-2, and the N.sup.th DL hopping frame 510-N is
separated from the N.sup.th UL hopping frame 520-N by an N.sup.th
frequency gap FRgap-N.
[0111] In some implementations, the DL frequency hopping pattern
510 may be a cell-specific frequency hopping pattern generated
using any suitable technique (such as based on pseudo-random
numbers), and the UL frequency hopping pattern 520 may be generated
by applying a constant offset in modulo to the DL frequency hopping
pattern 510. More specifically, after determining the locations of
the DL hopping channels, the UE 404 may apply a constant offset in
modulo to each of the DL hopping channels to derive the
corresponding UL hopping channels. For example, if c_DL (n)
represents the DL hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping
pattern 510 at an instance in time n, the UL hopping channel may be
determined for that instance in time, n, based on the expression
c_UL (n)=(c_DL (n)+.DELTA.) mod N.
[0112] The base station 402 and the UE 404 initially tune to the
anchor channel, and the base station 402 transmits the DRS on the
anchor channel to indicate a beginning of the first DRS period. In
some implementations, the DRS may indicate the DL frequency hopping
pattern 510 and the UL frequency hopping pattern 520. In some other
implementations, the DRS may indicate the DL frequency hopping
pattern 510, and the UE 404 may derive the UL frequency hopping
pattern 520 based on the DL frequency hopping pattern 510 (such as
by applying a constant offset in modulo to the DL frequency hopping
pattern 510). The DRS also may include one or more of a primary
synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal
(SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a system information
block (SIB), or a slot format indicator (SFI). In some
implementations, the DRS also may include remaining minimum system
information (RMSI) indicating the DL frequency hopping pattern
510.
[0113] The UE 404 may receive the DRS, identify the first DL
hopping channel, and jump to the first DL hopping channel to
monitor for at least one of an indication of DL data, one or more
reference signals, or a grant of UL resources. In some
implementations, the base station 402 may contend for medium access
to the first DL hopping channel using a CCA-based channel access
procedure. Upon gaining access to the first DL hopping channel for
a channel occupancy time (COT), the base station 402 may transmit a
signal informing the UE 404 (and other nearby wireless
communication devices) that it has gained medium access to the
first DL hopping channel for a duration indicated by the COT, and
may transmit DL data on the first DL hopping channel using a first
DL hopping frame 510-1. The signal may be one or more of a system
information channel occupancy time (SI-COT), a group-common
physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit
preamble.
[0114] If the UE 404 detects the signal (which may indicate that
the base station 402 has queued DL data to transmit), the UE 404
may receive the DL data on the first DL hopping channel via the
first DL hopping frame 510-1 concurrently with transmitting UL data
on a first UL hopping channel using a first UL hopping frame 520-1.
In some implementations, the UE 404 may contend for medium access
to the first UL hopping channel using a CCA-based channel access
procedure, and may switch to another hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern 520 after a number of unsuccessful
CCA-based channel access procedures on the first UL hopping
channel.
[0115] In some implementations, the UE 404 may transmit at least a
portion of the UL data using configured grant (CG) resources if the
signal is not detected within a time period (which may indicate
that the base station 402 did not obtain a COT on the first DL
hopping channel). In some other implementations, the UE 404 may
jump to another UL hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping
pattern 520 if the signal is not detected within the time
period.
[0116] For the example of FIG. 5, the base station 402 transmits DL
data on hopping channel CH-1 using the first DL hopping frame 510-1
concurrently with the UE 404 transmitting UL data on hopping
channel CH-3 using the first UL hopping frame 520-1. In this
manner, the base station 402 may operate as a full-duplex device
that can transmit DL data on one hopping channel while receiving UL
data on another hopping channel, and the UE 404 may operate as a
full-duplex device that can receive DL data on the one hopping
channel while transmitting UL data on the other hopping
channel.
[0117] At the end of the first DRS period, the base station 402 and
the UE 404 return to the anchor channel, and the base station 402
transmits a second DRS on the anchor channel to indicate a
beginning of the second DRS period. The UE 404 may receive the
second DRS, switch or jump to the second DL hopping channel, and
monitor the second DL hopping channel for a signal indicating that
the base station 402 obtained a COT on the second DL hopping
channel. The UE 404 also may monitor the second DL hopping channel
for one or more reference signals, a grant of UL resources, or
other information.
[0118] For the example of FIG. 5, the base station 402 transmits DL
data on hopping channel CH-2 using the second DL hopping frame
510-2 concurrently with the UE 404 transmitting UL data on hopping
channel CH-N using the second UL hopping frame 520-2. The base
station 402 and UE 404 may continue communicating data with each
other in this manner until the base station 402 and the UE 404 have
sequenced through the N respective hopping channels of the DL
frequency hopping pattern 510 and the UL frequency hopping pattern
520 (such as when the UE 404 receives DL data on hopping channel
CH-3 via DL hopping frame 510-N while concurrently transmitting UL
data on hopping channel CH-1 via UL hopping frame 520-N). The base
station 402 and the UE 404 may continue narrowband communications
in the unlicensed frequency band by sequencing through the hopping
channels of the DL and UL frequency hopping patterns one or more
additional times.
[0119] In some instances, the UE 404 may be susceptible to
self-interference resulting from receiving DL data while
concurrently transmitting UL data based on the frequency hopping
pattern 500 of FIG. 5, and may not have sufficient interference
cancellation capabilities to compensate for the self-interference.
In some other instances, UL throughput may be more important than
DL throughput in a wireless network (or at least for some UEs that
operate in the wireless network). For example, when the UE 404 is
an IoT sensor (such as a security camera) that persistently
transmits sensor data to the base station 402 and infrequently
receives DL data, UL throughput may be much more important than DL
throughput. As such, in some implementations, the UE 404 may be
configured to operate as a half-duplex device, and may communicate
with the base station 402 using other frequency hopping patterns in
a manner that reduces (if not eliminates) the aforementioned UE
self-interference.
[0120] FIG. 6 shows another example frequency hopping pattern 600
that may be used for narrowband communications between the base
station 402 and the UE 404. The frequency hopping pattern 600
includes a DL frequency hopping pattern 610 and an UL frequency
hopping pattern 620. The DL frequency hopping pattern 610 and the
UL frequency hopping pattern 620 each may include any suitable
number (N) of unique hopping channels. In some implementations, the
DL frequency hopping pattern 610 and the UL frequency hopping
pattern 620 each may include N=15 different hopping channels. In
some other implementations, the DL frequency hopping pattern 610
and the UL frequency hopping pattern 620 each may include more than
15 different hopping channels. In aspects for which the base
station 402 and the UE 404 exchange data using narrowband
communications in the 2.4 GHz frequency spectrum, the anchor
channel may have a bandwidth of less than 5 MHz, and each of the DL
hopping channels and UL hopping channels may have a bandwidth not
greater than 5 MHz.
[0121] The DL frequency hopping pattern 610 includes a first
sequence of hopping channels upon which a sequence of DL hopping
frames 610-1 to 610-N (only two DL hopping frames 610-1 and 610-2
shown for simplicity) may be used to transmit DL data to one or
more UEs, and the UL frequency hopping pattern 620 includes a
second sequence of hopping channels upon which a sequence of UL
hopping frames 620-1 to 620-N (only two UL hopping frames 620-1 and
620-2 shown for simplicity) may be used to transmit UL data to the
base station 402. Each of the hopping channels of the DL frequency
hopping pattern 610 is separated from a corresponding hopping
channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern 620 by at least a gap
frequency that is configured or selected to minimize interference
between DL and UL hopping frequencies. For example, the first DL
hopping frame 610-1 is separated from the first UL hopping frame
620-1 by a first frequency gap FRgap-1, and the second DL hopping
frame 610-2 is separated from the second UL hopping frame 620-2 by
a second frequency gap FRgap-2. In some implementations, the DL
hopping frames of the DL frequency hopping pattern 610 may be
separated from corresponding UL hopping frames of the UL frequency
hopping pattern 620 by a constant frequency offset in modulo.
[0122] The base station 402 and the UE 404 initially tune to the
anchor channel, and the base station 402 transmits the DRS on the
anchor channel to indicate a beginning of the first DRS period. In
some implementations, the DRS may indicate the DL frequency hopping
pattern 610 and the UL frequency hopping pattern 620. In some other
implementations, the DRS may indicate the DL frequency hopping
pattern 610, and the UE 404 may derive the UL frequency hopping
pattern 620 based on the DL frequency hopping pattern 610 (such as
by applying a constant offset in modulo to the DL frequency hopping
pattern 610). The DRS also may include one or more of a primary
synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal
(SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a system information
block (SIB), or a slot format indicator (SFI). In some
implementations, the DRS also may include remaining minimum system
information (RMSI) indicating the DL frequency hopping pattern
610.
[0123] The UE 404 may receive the DRS, identify the first DL
hopping channel, and jump to the first DL hopping channel to
monitor for at least one of an indication of DL data, one or more
reference signals, or a grant of UL resources. Upon gaining access
to the first DL hopping channel for a first COT, the base station
402 may transmit a signal informing the UE 404 (and other nearby
wireless communication devices) that it has gained medium access to
the first DL hopping channel for a duration indicated by the first
COT. The base station 402 may transmit DL data to one or more UEs
on the first DL hopping channel during the first COT.
[0124] After detecting the signal, the UE 404 receives the first DL
data on the first DL hopping channel during a first portion of the
first COT, switches or jumps to the first UL hopping channel, and
transmits UL data on the first UL hopping channel during a second
portion of the first COT. Upon completion of the UL data
transmission, the UE 404 may return to the first DL hopping channel
to monitor for DL data, reference signals, and UL grants. The UE
404 may continue jumping between the first DL hopping channel and
the first UL hopping channel, for example, to alternately receive
DL data and transmit UL data during the first COT.
[0125] For the example of FIG. 6, the base station 402 transmits
first DL data on hopping channel CH-1 to UE0 using first slots of
the first DL hopping frame 610-1, transmits second DL data on
hopping channel CH-1 to UE1 using second slots of the first DL
hopping frame 610-1, and transmits third DL data on hopping channel
CH-1 to UE0 using third slots of the first DL hopping frame 610-1.
For purposes of discussion herein, the UE 404 may be UE0.
[0126] The UE 404, operating as UE0, receives the first DL data
contained in the first slots of the first DL hopping frame 610-1,
jumps to the first UL hopping channel, and transmits UL data using
first slots of the first UL hopping frame 620-1 on hopping channel
CH-3. The UE 404 returns to the first DL hopping channel and
receives the third DL data contained in the third slots of the
first DL hopping frame 610-1, jumps to the first UL hopping
channel, and transmits additional UL data using second slots of the
first UL hopping frame 620-1 on hopping channel CH-3.
[0127] At the end of the first DRS period, the base station 402 and
the UE 404 return to the anchor channel, and the base station 402
transmits a second DRS on the anchor channel to indicate a
beginning of the second DRS period. The UE 404 may receive the
second DRS, switch or jump to the second DL hopping channel, and
monitor the second DL hopping channel for a signal indicating that
the base station 402 obtained a COT on the second DL hopping
channel. The UE 404 also may monitor the second DL hopping channel
for one or more reference signals, a grant of UL resources, or
other information.
[0128] During the second DRS period in the example of FIG. 6, the
base station 402 transmits first DL data on hopping channel CH-2 to
UE0 using first slots of the second DL hopping frame 610-2, and
transmits second DL data on hopping channel CH-2 to UE1 using
second slots of the second DL hopping frame 610-2. The UE 404,
operating as UE0, receives the first DL data contained in the first
slots of the second DL hopping frame 610-2, jumps to the second UL
hopping channel, and transmits UL data using the remaining
available slots of the second UL hopping frame 620-2 on hopping
channel CH-N. At the end of the second DRS period, the base station
402 and the UE 404 return to the anchor channel.
[0129] The UE 404 (and other UEs participating in the
communications of FIG. 6) may need a time period of approximately
one symbol duration to re-tune its transceivers when jumping
between DL and UL hopping channels. In some implementations,
standard K1 and K2 values may be used to accommodate the returning
gap, for example, where the K1 value may indicate the number of
slots between the end of the PDSCH and a beginning of the PUSCH,
and the K2 value may indicate the number of slots between the end
of the PUSCH and a beginning of the PDSCH. In instances for which a
reception slot in a DL hopping frame occurs less than a symbol
duration before a transmission slot in an UL hopping frame, the
last symbol of the received DL data may be reserved as the
re-tuning gap. For example, the last slot in the second DL hopping
frame 610-2 that contains DL data for UE0 occurs at approximately
the same time as the first slot available in the second UL hopping
frame 620-2, and therefore the last symbol of the DL data carried
in the DL hopping frame 610-2 may be reserved as the re-tuning gap
for UE0.
[0130] FIG. 7 shows another example frequency hopping pattern 700
that may be used for narrowband communications between the base
station 402 and the UE 404. The frequency hopping pattern 700
includes a DL frequency hopping pattern 710 and an UL frequency
hopping pattern 720. The DL frequency hopping pattern 710 and the
UL frequency hopping pattern 720 each may include any suitable
number (N) of unique hopping channels. In some implementations, the
DL frequency hopping pattern 710 and the UL frequency hopping
pattern 720 each may include N=15 different hopping channels. In
some other implementations, the DL frequency hopping pattern 710
and the UL frequency hopping pattern 720 each may include more than
15 different hopping channels. In aspects for which the base
station 402 and the UE 404 exchange data using narrowband
communications in the 2.4 GHz frequency spectrum, the anchor
channel may have a bandwidth of less than 5 MHz, and each of the DL
hopping channels and UL hopping channels may have a bandwidth not
greater than 5 MHz.
[0131] The DL frequency hopping pattern 710 includes a sequence of
DL hopping channels upon which a sequence of DL hopping frames
710-1 to 710-N (only two DL hopping frames 710-1 and 710-2 shown
for simplicity) may be used to transmit DL data to one or more UEs.
The UL frequency hopping pattern 720 includes a first sequence of
UL hopping channels upon which a first sequence of UL hopping
frames 720-1A to 720-NA (only two UL hopping frames 720-1A and
720-2A shown for simplicity) may be used by a first UE (such as
UE0) to transmit UL data to the base station 402, and includes a
second sequence of UL hopping channels upon which a second sequence
of UL hopping frames 720-1B to 720-NB (only two UL hopping frames
720-1B and 720-2B shown for simplicity) may be used by a second UE
(such as UE1) to transmit UL data to the base station 402. In this
manner, UE0 and UE1 each may be allocated its own UL hopping frames
to transmit UL data on unique hopping channels within the UL
frequency hopping pattern 720.
[0132] Each of the hopping channels of the DL frequency hopping
pattern 710 is separated from corresponding hopping channels of the
UL frequency hopping pattern 720 by at least a gap frequency that
is configured or selected to minimize interference between DL and
UL hopping frequencies. In some implementations, the DL hopping
frames of the DL frequency hopping pattern 710 may be separated
from the UL hopping frames of the UL frequency hopping pattern 720
by a constant frequency offset in modulo.
[0133] The base station 402 and the UEs initially tune to the
anchor channel, and the base station 402 transmits the DRS on the
anchor channel to indicate a beginning of the first DRS period. In
some implementations, the DRS may indicate the DL frequency hopping
pattern 710, and each of the UEs may derive a corresponding UL
frequency hopping pattern based on the DL frequency hopping pattern
710 and an identifier unique to the UE. For example, UE0 may use
its UEID to derive a first UL frequency hopping pattern from the DL
frequency hopping pattern 710, UE1 may use its UEID to derive a
second UL frequency hopping pattern from the DL frequency hopping
pattern 710, and so on, where each of the derived UL frequency
hopping patterns includes a sequence of UL hopping channels upon
which a sequence of UL hopping frames may be used to transmit UL
data.
[0134] For the example of FIG. 7, the base station 402 transmits
first DL data on hopping channel CH-1 to UE0 using first slots of
the first DL hopping frame 710-1, transmits second DL data on
hopping channel CH-1 to UE2 using second slots of the first DL
hopping frame 710-1, transmits third DL data on hopping channel
CH-1 to UE0 using third slots of the first DL hopping frame 710-1,
and transmits fourth DL data on hopping channel CH-1 to UE3 using
fourth slots of the first DL hopping frame 710-1.
[0135] The UE 404, operating as UE0, receives the first DL data
contained in the first slots of the first DL hopping frame 710-1,
jumps to the first UL hopping channel, and transmits UL data using
first slots of its first UL hopping frame 720-1A on hopping channel
CH-3. The UE 404 returns to the first DL hopping channel and
receives the third DL data contained in the third slots of the
first DL hopping frame 710-1. The UE 404 returns to its first UL
hopping channel and transmits additional UL data using second slots
of its first UL hopping frame 720-1A on hopping channel CH-3, and
returns to the anchor channel at the end of the DRS period.
[0136] UE1 detects an absence of DL data on the first DL hopping
channel, and jumps to its first UL hopping channel. For example,
UE1 transmits UL data using first slots of its first UL hopping
frame 720-1B on hopping channel CH-N, and returns to the first DL
hopping channel. UE1 again detects an absence of DL data on the
first DL hopping channel, and jumps to its first UL hopping
channel. UE1 transmits additional UL data using second slots of its
first UL hopping frame 720-1B on hopping channel CH-N, and returns
to the anchor channel at the end of the DRS period.
[0137] UE2 receives the second DL data contained in the second
slots of the first DL hopping frame 710-1, and determines whether
it has buffered UL data. For the example of FIG. 7, UE2 does not
have any buffered UL data, and stays on the first DL hopping
channel to monitor for additional DL data, one or more reference
signals, a grant of UL resources, or other suitable information.
UE2 returns to the anchor channel at the end of the DRS period.
[0138] For the example of FIG. 7, the UL frequency hopping patterns
used by UE0 and UE1 are not coordinated, and may avoid certain FCC
restrictions on communications that employ coordinated frequency
hopping patterns. The lack of coordination between the UL frequency
hopping patterns used by UE0 and UE1 may result in their respective
UL hopping frames overlapping in frequency in one or more DRS
periods. For example, FIG. 7 depicts the UL hopping frames 720-2A
and 720-2B used by UE0 and UE1, respectively, in the second DRS
period as occupying the same hopping frequency, hopping channel
CH-1. The overlapping UL hopping frames 720-2A and 720-2B may
result in collisions between UL data transmissions from UE0 and UE
1. In some implementations, the UL data from UE0 may be
time-multiplexed or frequency-multiplexed with the UL data from UE1
and transmitted on one of the UL hopping frame 720-2A or the UL
hopping frame 720-2B.
[0139] FIG. 8 shows another example frequency hopping pattern 800
that may be used for narrowband communications between the base
station 402 and the UE 404. The frequency hopping pattern 800
includes a DL frequency hopping pattern 810 and an UL frequency
hopping pattern 820. The DL frequency hopping pattern 810 and the
UL frequency hopping pattern 820 each may include any suitable
number (N) of unique hopping channels. In some implementations, the
DL frequency hopping pattern 810 and the UL frequency hopping
pattern 820 each may include N=15 different hopping channels. In
some other implementations, the DL frequency hopping pattern 810
and the UL frequency hopping pattern 820 each may include more than
15 different hopping channels. In aspects for which the base
station 402 and the UE 404 exchange data using narrowband
communications in the 2.4 GHz frequency spectrum, the anchor
channel may have a bandwidth of less than 5 MHz, and each of the DL
hopping channels and UL hopping channels may have a bandwidth not
greater than 5 MHz.
[0140] The DL frequency hopping pattern 810 includes a sequence of
DL hopping channels upon which a sequence of DL hopping frames
810-1 to 810-N (only two DL hopping frames 810-1 and 810-2 shown
for simplicity) may be used to transmit DL data to one or more UEs.
The UL frequency hopping pattern 820 includes a first sequence of
UL hopping channels upon which a first sequence of UL hopping
frames 820-1A to 820-NA (only two UL hopping frames 820-1A and
820-2A shown for simplicity) may be used by a first UE (such as
UE0) to transmit UL data to the base station 402, and includes a
second sequence of UL hopping channels upon which a second sequence
of UL hopping frames 820-1B to 820-NB (only two UL hopping frames
820-1B and 820-2B shown for simplicity) may be used by a second UE
(such as UE1) to transmit UL data to the base station 402. In this
manner, UE0 and UE1 each may be allocated its own UL hopping frames
to transmit UL data on unique hopping channels within the UL
frequency hopping pattern 820.
[0141] In contrast to the uncoordinated UL frequency hopping
patterns used by UE0 and UE1 in the example of FIG. 7, the UL
frequency hopping patterns used by UE0 and UE1 in the example of
FIG. 8 may be coordinated to avoid collisions between UL data
transmissions from UE0 and UE1. In some instances, coordination
between the UL frequency hopping patterns used by UE0 and UE1 may
subject UL transmissions from UE0 and UE1 to additional FCC
restrictions. In some implementations, UE0 and UE1 may be
configured to use a category-2 LBT procedure to gain medium access
to their respective UL hopping channels.
[0142] In some implementations, the UL frequency hopping patterns
820 used by UE0 and UE1 may be orthogonal to each other and may be
orthogonal to the DL frequency hopping pattern 810, which may avoid
certain FCC restrictions on communications that employ frequency
hopping techniques. In some implementations, a number N of
orthogonal UL frequency hopping patterns may be derived from the DL
frequency hopping pattern 810 and UE-specific information (such as
the UEID). For example, if c_DL (n) represents the DL hopping
channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern 810 at an instance in
time n, then each of a plurality of orthogonal UL hopping channels
may be determined at that instance in time, n, based on the
expression c_UL (n)=(c_DL (n)+i) mod N, where i is the pattern
index for which 0 .ltoreq.i<N.
[0143] The base station 402 and the UEs initially tune to the
anchor channel, and the base station 402 transmits the DRS on the
anchor channel to indicate a beginning of the first DRS period. In
some implementations, the DRS may indicate the DL frequency hopping
pattern 810, and each of the UEs may derive a corresponding
orthogonal UL frequency hopping pattern as described above. The DRS
also may include one or more of a primary synchronization signal
(PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical
broadcast channel (PBCH), a system information block (SIB), or a
slot format indicator (SFI). In some implementations, the DRS also
may include remaining minimum system information (RMSI) indicating
the DL frequency hopping pattern 810.
[0144] For the example of FIG. 8, the base station 402 transmits
first DL data on hopping channel CH-1 to UE0 using first slots of
the first DL hopping frame 810-1, transmits second DL data on
hopping channel CH-1 to UE2 using second slots of the first DL
hopping frame 810-1, transmits third DL data on hopping channel
CH-1 to UE0 using third slots of the first DL hopping frame 810-1,
and transmits fourth DL data on hopping channel CH-1 to UE3 using
fourth slots of the first DL hopping frame 810-1.
[0145] The UE 404, operating as UE0, receives the first DL data
contained in the first slots of the first DL hopping frame 810-1,
jumps to its first UL hopping channel, and transmits UL data using
first slots of its first UL hopping frame 820-1A on hopping channel
CH-2. After the UL transmissions, the UE 404 returns to the first
DL hopping channel and receives the third DL data contained in the
third slots of the first DL hopping frame 810-1. The UE 404 returns
to its first UL hopping channel and transmits additional UL data
using second slots of its first UL hopping frame 820-1A on hopping
channel CH-2, and returns to the anchor channel at the end of the
DRS period.
[0146] UE1 detects an absence of DL data on the first DL hopping
channel, jumps to its first UL hopping channel, and transmits UL
data using first slots of its first UL hopping frame 820-1B on
hopping channel CH-3, and returns to the first DL hopping channel.
After detecting an absence of DL data on the first DL hopping
channel, UE1 again jumps to its first UL hopping channel and
transmits additional UL data using second slots of its first UL
hopping frame 820-1B on hopping channel CH-3. UE1 returns to the
anchor channel at the end of the DRS period.
[0147] UE2 receives the second DL data contained in the second
slots of the first DL hopping frame 810-1, and determines whether
it has buffered UL data. For the example of FIG. 8, UE2 does not
have any buffered UL data, and stays on the first DL hopping
channel to monitor for additional DL data, one or more reference
signals, a grant of UL resources, or other suitable information.
UE2 returns to the anchor channel at the end of the DRS period.
[0148] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart depicting an example operation 900
for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping between
a base station and a UE. The operation 900 may be performed by a
wireless communication device such as the UE 104 of FIG. 1, the UE
350 of FIG. 3, or the UE 404 of FIG. 4. At block 902, the UE
receives a discovery reference signal (DRS) on an anchor channel of
a frequency spectrum, the DRS indicating at least one of a downlink
(DL) frequency hopping pattern or an uplink (UL) frequency hopping
pattern. At block 904, the UE detects a signal indicating a channel
occupancy time (COT) obtained by the base station on a first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern. At block 906,
the UE receives DL data on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern concurrently with transmitting UL data on
a first hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.
[0149] The DL frequency hopping pattern may include a first
sequence of hopping channels, and the UL frequency hopping pattern
may include a second sequence of hopping channels different than
the first sequence of hopping channels. Each hopping channel of the
first sequence of hopping channels may be separated from a
corresponding hopping channel of the second sequence of hopping
channels by at least a gap frequency configured or selected to
reduce interference between the DL and UL transmissions. In some
implementations, each of the DL frequency hopping pattern and the
UL frequency hopping pattern may be based at least in part on a
cell ID and a slot index. In some other implementations, the DL
frequency hopping pattern may be a cell-specific frequency hopping
pattern, and the UL frequency hopping pattern may be derived by
applying a constant offset in modulo to the DL frequency hopping
pattern.
[0150] In some implementations, the DRS in block 902 also may
include one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a
secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast
channel (PBCH), a system information block (SIB), a slot format
indicator (SFI), or remaining minimum system information (RMSI).
The DRS may have a dwell time on the anchor channel based on one or
more of the 3GPP standards. In some implementations, each of the DL
frequency hopping pattern and the UL frequency hopping pattern
includes at least 15 unique hopping channels, and each of the at
least 15 unique hopping channels has a dwell time based on one or
more of the 3GPP standards.
[0151] In some implementations, the signal indicating the COT in
block 904 may be one or more of a system information channel
occupancy time (SI-COT), a group-common physical downlink control
channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit preamble. The COT may be
obtained by the base station based on a clear channel assessment
(CCA) procedure performed on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern.
[0152] In some implementations, the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern in block 906 may be associated with a
corresponding DL hopping frame of a sequence of DL hopping frames,
and the first hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern
in block 906 may be associated with a corresponding UL hopping
frame of a sequence of UL hopping frames. In some implementations,
the frequency spectrum may be an unlicensed frequency band in the
2.4 GHz frequency spectrum, each of the DL hopping channels may
have a bandwidth not greater than 5 MHz, and each of the UL hopping
channels may have a bandwidth not greater than 5 MHz. In some other
implementations, the frequency spectrum may be an unlicensed
frequency band in another frequency spectrum (such as the 5 GHz
frequency spectrum or the 6 GHz frequency spectrum), and one or
both of the DL hopping channels and the UL hopping channels may
have other suitable bandwidths.
[0153] In some implementations, the DL data in block 906 may be
received using one of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or
a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and the UL data in
block 906 may be transmitted using one of a physical uplink shared
channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).
[0154] FIG. 10A shows a flowchart depicting an example operation
1000 for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping
between a base station and a UE. The operation 1000 may be
performed by a wireless communication device such as the UE 104 of
FIG. 1, the UE 350 of FIG. 3, or the UE 404 of FIG. 4. In some
implementations, the operation 1000 begins when the UE does not
detect the signal indicating the COT in block 904 of FIG. 9. At
block 1002, the UE transmits at least a portion of the UL data
using configured grant (CG) resources based on not detecting the
signal within a time period. The time period may be of any suitable
duration, for example, that allows the UE to transmit at least a
portion of buffered UL data during a corresponding DRS period.
[0155] FIG. 10B shows a flowchart depicting an example operation
1010 for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping
between a base station and a UE. The operation 1010 may be
performed by a wireless communication device such as the UE 104 of
FIG. 1, the UE 350 of FIG. 3, or the UE 404 of FIG. 4. In some
implementations, the operation 1010 begins after the UE receives DL
data concurrently with transmitting UL data in block 906 of FIG. 9.
For example, in block 1012, the UE contends for access to the first
hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern using a
CCA-based channel access procedure. At block 1014, the UE switches
to another hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern
after a number of unsuccessful CCA-based channel access procedures
on the first hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping
pattern.
[0156] FIG. 11 shows a flowchart depicting an example operation
1100 for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping
between a base station and a UE. The operation 1100 may be
performed by a wireless communication device such as the UE 104 of
FIG. 1, the UE 350 of FIG. 3, or the UE 404 of FIG. 4. At block
1102, the UE receives a discovery reference signal (DRS) on an
anchor channel of a frequency spectrum, the DRS indicating at least
one of a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern or an uplink (UL)
frequency hopping pattern. At block 1104, the UE detects a signal
indicating a first channel occupancy time (COT) obtained by the
base station on a first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping
pattern. During the first COT, the UE receives DL data on the first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern at block 1106,
switches to a first hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping
pattern at block 1108, and transmits UL data on the first hopping
channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern at block 1110.
[0157] In some implementations, the DL frequency hopping pattern
includes a first sequence of hopping channels, and the UL frequency
hopping pattern includes a second sequence of hopping channels
different than the first sequence of hopping channels. Each hopping
channel of the first sequence of hopping channels may be separated
from a corresponding hopping channel of the second sequence of
hopping channels by at least a gap frequency. In some
implementations, each of the DL frequency hopping pattern and the
UL frequency hopping pattern may be based at least in part on a
cell ID and a slot index. In some other implementations, the DL
frequency hopping pattern may be a cell-specific frequency hopping
pattern, and the UL frequency hopping pattern may be derived by
applying a constant offset in modulo to the DL frequency hopping
pattern.
[0158] In some implementations, the DRS in block 1102 also may
include one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a
secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast
channel (PBCH), a system information block (SIB), a slot format
indicator (SFI), or remaining minimum system information (RMSI).
The DRS may have a dwell time on the anchor channel based on one or
more of the 3GPP standards. In some implementations, each of the DL
frequency hopping pattern and the UL frequency hopping pattern
includes at least 15 unique hopping channels, and each of the at
least 15 unique hopping channels has a dwell time based on one or
more of the 3GPP standards.
[0159] In some implementations, the signal indicating the first COT
in block 1104 may be one or more of a system information channel
occupancy time (SI-COT), a group-common physical downlink control
channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit preamble. The first COT
may be obtained based on a CCA channel access procedure performed
by the base station on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern.
[0160] In some implementations, the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern in block 1106 may be associated with a
corresponding DL hopping frame of a sequence of DL hopping frames.
The DL data in block 1106 may be received using one of a physical
downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a physical downlink control
channel (PDCCH).
[0161] In some implementations, the first hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern in block 1110 may be associated with a
corresponding UL hopping frame of a sequence of UL hopping frames.
The UL data in block 1110 may be transmitted using one of a
physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control
channel (PUCCH).
[0162] FIG. 12A shows a flowchart depicting an example operation
1200 for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping
between a base station and a UE. The operation 1200 may be
performed by a wireless communication device such as the UE 104 of
FIG. 1, the UE 350 of FIG. 3, or the UE 404 of FIG. 4. In some
implementations, the operation 1200 begins after the UE transmits
the UL data on the first hopping channel of the UL frequency
hopping pattern in block 1110 of FIG. 11. For example, during the
first COT, the UE returns to the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern at block 1202, and receives DL data on
the first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern at
block 1204.
[0163] FIG. 12B shows a flowchart depicting an example operation
1210 for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping
between a base station and a UE. The operation 1210 may be
performed by a wireless communication device such as the UE 104 of
FIG. 1, the UE 350 of FIG. 3, or the UE 404 of FIG. 4. In some
implementations, the operation 1210 begins after the UE transmits
the UL data on the first hopping channel of the UL frequency
hopping pattern in block 1110 of FIG. 11. In some other
implementations, the operation 1210 begins after the UE receives
the DL data on the first hopping channel of the DL frequency
hopping pattern in block 1204 of FIG. 12A. For example, at block
1212, the UE may detect a signal indicating a second COT obtained
by the base station on a second hopping channel of the DL frequency
hopping pattern. During the second COT, the UE receives DL data on
the second hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern at
block 1214, switches to a second hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern at block 1216, and transmits UL data on
the second hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern at
block 1218.
[0164] FIG. 12C shows a flowchart depicting an example operation
1220 for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping
between a base station and a UE. The operation 1220 may be
performed by a wireless communication device such as the UE 104 of
FIG. 1, the UE 350 of FIG. 3, or the UE 404 of FIG. 4. In some
implementations, the operation 1220 begins after the UE transmits
UL data on the second hopping channel in block 1218 of FIG. 12B.
For example, during the second COT, the UE may return to the second
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern at block 1222,
and may receive DL data on the second hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern at block 1224.
[0165] FIG. 13 shows a flowchart depicting an example operation
1300 for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping
between a base station and a UE. The operation 1300 may be
performed by a wireless communication device such as the UE 104 of
FIG. 1, the UE 350 of FIG. 3, or the UE 404 of FIG. 4. At block
1302, the UE receives a discovery reference signal (DRS) on an
anchor channel of a frequency spectrum, the DRS indicating a
downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern. At block 1304, the UE
determines an uplink (UL) frequency hopping pattern based at least
in part on the DL frequency hopping pattern and an identifier
unique to the UE. At block 1306, the UE detects a signal indicating
a first channel occupancy time (COT) obtained by the base station
on a first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.
During the first COT, the UE receives DL data on the first hopping
channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern at block 1308, switches
to a first hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern at
block 1310, and transmits UL data on the first hopping channel of
the UL frequency hopping pattern at block 1312.
[0166] The DL frequency hopping pattern may include a sequence of
DL hopping channels upon which the base station may transmit DL
data, and the UL frequency hopping pattern may include one or more
sequences of UL hopping channels upon which one or more respective
UEs may concurrently transmit UL data. Each of the DL hopping
channels may be associated with a corresponding DL hopping frame
within which the base station may transmit DL data to one or more
UEs, and each of the UL hopping channels of a respective one of the
sequences of UL hopping channels may be associated with a
corresponding UL hopping frame that is allocated to a specified UE.
In this manner, the DL hopping frames may carry DL data intended
for any number of different UEs, and each sequence of UL hopping
frames may be dedicated for UL transmissions from a corresponding
UE.
[0167] In some implementations, the sequence of DL hopping frames
and the one or more sequences of UL hopping channels may be
uncoordinated relative to each other, for example, to avoid certain
FCC restrictions on communications that employ frequency hopping
techniques. In some other implementations, the sequence of DL
hopping frames and the one or more sequences of UL hopping channels
may be coordinated with each other, for example, to reduce a
likelihood that UL hopping channels associated with different UEs
do not overlap in both time and frequency. In some instances, the
UEs may be configured to use a category-2 LBT procedure to gain
medium access to their respective sequence of UL hopping
channels.
[0168] In some implementations, the sequences of UL hopping
channels used for UL transmissions by different UEs may be
orthogonal to each other, and may be orthogonal to the sequence of
DL hopping channels used by the base station for DL transmissions.
In some implementations, a number N of orthogonal UL frequency
hopping patterns may be derived from a DL frequency hopping pattern
and UE-specific information (such as the UEID). For example, if
c_DL (n) represents the DL hopping channel of a DL frequency
hopping pattern at an instance in time n, then each of a plurality
of orthogonal UL hopping channels may be determined at that
instance in time n using the expression c_UL (n)=(c_DL (n)+i) mod
N, where i is the pattern index for which 0.ltoreq.i<N.
[0169] In some implementations, the DRS in block 1302 also may
include one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a
secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast
channel (PBCH), a system information block (SIB), a slot format
indicator (SFI), or remaining minimum system information (RMSI).
The DRS may have a dwell time on the anchor channel based on one or
more of the 3GPP standards. In some implementations, each of the DL
frequency hopping pattern and the UL frequency hopping pattern
includes at least 15 unique hopping channels, and each of the at
least 15 unique hopping channels has a dwell time based on one or
more of the 3GPP standards.
[0170] In some implementations, the UE may determine the UL
frequency hopping pattern in block 1304 by applying a value
constant offset in modulo to the DL frequency hopping pattern. The
value may be one of an offset in modulo modified by an identifier
of the UE (such as the UEID), one or more variations of the
UEID,
[0171] In some implementations, the signal indicating the first COT
in block 1306 may be one or more of a system information channel
occupancy time (SI-COT), a group-common physical downlink control
channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit preamble. The first COT
may be obtained based on a CCA channel access procedure performed
by the base station on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern.
[0172] In some implementations, the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern in block 1308 may be associated with a
corresponding DL hopping frame of a sequence of DL hopping frames.
The DL data in block 1308 may be received using one of a physical
downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a physical downlink control
channel (PDCCH).
[0173] In some implementations, the first hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern in block 1312 may be associated with a
corresponding UL hopping frame of a sequence of UL hopping frames.
The UL data in block 1312 may be transmitted using one of a
physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control
channel (PUCCH).
[0174] FIG. 14A shows a flowchart depicting an example operation
1400 for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping
between a base station and a UE. The operation 1400 may be
performed by a wireless communication device such as the UE 104 of
FIG. 1, the UE 350 of FIG. 3, or the UE 404 of FIG. 4. In some
implementations, the operation 1400 begins after the UE transmits
the UL data on the first hopping channel of the UL frequency
hopping pattern in block 1312 of FIG. 13. For example, during the
first COT, the UE returns to the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern at block 1402, and receives DL data on
the first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern at
block 1404.
[0175] FIG. 14B shows a flowchart depicting an example operation
1410 for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping
between a base station and a UE. The operation 1410 may be
performed by a wireless communication device such as the UE 104 of
FIG. 1, the UE 350 of FIG. 3, or the UE 404 of FIG. 4. In some
implementations, the operation 1410 begins after the UE transmits
the UL data on the first hopping channel of the UL frequency
hopping pattern in block 1312 of FIG. 13. In some other
implementations, the operation 1410 begins after the UE receives
the DL data on the first hopping channel of the DL frequency
hopping pattern in block 1404 of FIG. 14A. For example, at block
1412, the UE may detect a signal indicating a second COT obtained
by the base station on a second hopping channel of the DL frequency
hopping pattern. During the second COT, the UE receives DL data on
the second hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern at
block 1414, switches to a second hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern at block 1416, and transmits UL data on
the second hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern at
block 1418.
[0176] FIG. 14C shows a flowchart depicting an example operation
1420 for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping
between a base station and a UE. The operation 1420 may be
performed by a wireless communication device such as the UE 104 of
FIG. 1, the UE 350 of FIG. 3, or the UE 404 of FIG. 4. In some
implementations, the operation 1420 begins after the UE transmits
UL data on the first hopping channel in block 1418 of FIG. 14B. For
example, at block 1422, the UE may return to the second hopping
channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern. At block 1424, the UE
receives DL data on the second hopping channel of the DL frequency
hopping pattern.
[0177] FIG. 14D shows a flowchart depicting an example operation
1430 for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping
between a base station and a UE. The operation 1430 may be
performed by a wireless communication device such as the UE 104 of
FIG. 1, the UE 350 of FIG. 3, or the UE 404 of FIG. 4. In some
implementations, the operation 1430 begins after the UE transmits
the UL data on the first hopping channel of the UL frequency
hopping pattern in block 1312 of FIG. 13. In some other
implementations, the operation 1430 begins after the UE receives
the DL data on the first hopping channel of the DL frequency
hopping pattern in block 1404 of FIG. 14A. For example, at block
1432, the UE may detect a signal indicating a second COT obtained
by the base station on a second hopping channel of the DL frequency
hopping pattern. During the second COT, the UE receives DL data on
the second hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern at
block 1434, and stays on the second hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern based on an absence of buffered UL data
in the UE at block 1436.
[0178] FIG. 15 shows a flowchart depicting an example operation
1500 for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping
between a base station and a UE. The operation 1500 may be
performed by a wireless communication device such as the UE 104 of
FIG. 1, the UE 350 of FIG. 3, or the UE 404 of FIG. 4. At block
1502, the UE receives a discovery reference signal (DRS) indicating
a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern. At block 1504, the UE
selects an uplink (UL) frequency hopping pattern. At block 1506,
the UE detects a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT)
obtained by the base station on a first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern. At block 1508, the UE receives DL data
on the first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.
At block 1510, the UE transmits UL data on a first hopping channel
of the UL frequency hopping pattern. In some implementations, the
UE may receive the DL data on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern concurrently with transmitting the UL
data on the first hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping
pattern. In some instances, the first hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern may be configured to carry
time-multiplexed UL data or frequency-multiplexed UL data
transmitted from the UE and from one or more other UEs during a
first COT period.
[0179] In some implementations, the selection of the UL frequency
hopping pattern may be based on the DL frequency hopping pattern
and at least one of a cell identifier, a user equipment identifier
(UE ID), or a group UE identifier. In some instances, the at least
one of the cell identifier, the UE ID, or the group UE identifier
may be received in one or more of a radio resource control (RRC)
configuration, a downlink control information (DCI) message, or the
DRS. In some other implementations, the DL frequency hopping
pattern may be a cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and
selecting the UL frequency hopping pattern may include applying a
constant offset in modulo to the DL frequency hopping pattern. In
some other implementations, the DL frequency hopping pattern may be
a cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and the UL frequency
hopping pattern may be based on the DL frequency hopping pattern, a
user equipment identifier (UE ID), and a slot index.
[0180] In some implementations, the DRS in block 1502 also may
include one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a
secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast
channel (PBCH), a system information block (SIB), a slot format
indicator (SFI), or remaining minimum system information (RMSI). In
some instances, the DRS may be received over an anchor channel, and
the DRS may have a dwell time on the anchor channel based on one or
more of the 3GPP standards. In some implementations, each of the DL
frequency hopping pattern and the UL frequency hopping pattern may
include at least 15 unique hopping channels, and each of the at
least 15 unique hopping channels may have a dwell time based on one
or more of the 3GPP standards.
[0181] In some implementations, the signal indicating the COT in
block 1504 may be one or more of a system information channel
occupancy time (SI-COT), a group-common physical downlink control
channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit preamble. In some
instances, the COT may be obtained by the base station based on a
clear channel assessment (CCA) channel access procedure performed
on the first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping
pattern.
[0182] In some implementations, the DL data in block 1508 may be
received over one of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or
a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). In some other
implementations, the UL data in block 1510 may be transmitted over
one of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical
uplink control channel (PUCCH).
[0183] FIG. 16 shows a flowchart depicting an example operation
1600 for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping
between a base station and a UE. The operation 1600 may be
performed by a wireless communication device such as the UE 104 of
FIG. 1, the UE 350 of FIG. 3, or the UE 404 of FIG. 4. In some
implementations, the operation 1600 begins after the UE selects the
UL frequency hopping pattern in block 1504 of FIG. 15. For example,
at block 1602, the UE may transmit at least a portion of the UL
data using configured grant (CG) resources based on not detecting
the signal within a time period.
[0184] FIG. 17 shows a flowchart depicting an example operation
1700 for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping
between a BS and a UE. The operation 1700 may be performed by a
wireless communication device such as the BS 102 of FIG. 1, the BS
310 of FIG. 3, or the BS 402 of FIG. 4. At block 1702, the BS
transmits a discovery reference signal (DRS) over an unlicensed
frequency band, the DRS indicating a downlink (DL) frequency
hopping pattern. At block 1704, the BS selects an uplink (UL)
frequency hopping pattern. At block 1706, the BS transmits a signal
indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained on a first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern. At block 1708,
the BS transmits DL data on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern. At block 1710, the BS receives UL data
on a first hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern. In
some implementations, the BS may transmit the DL data on the first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern concurrently
with receiving the UL data on the first hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern. In some instances, the first hopping
channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern may be configured to
carry time-multiplexed UL data or frequency-multiplexed UL data
received from a plurality of different UEs during a first COT
period.
[0185] In some implementations, the selection of the UL frequency
hopping pattern may be based on the DL frequency hopping pattern
and at least one of a cell identifier, a user equipment identifier
(UE ID), or a group UE identifier. In some instances, the at least
one of the cell identifier, the UE ID, or the group UE identifier
may be provided to one or more UEs in one or more of a radio
resource control (RRC) configuration, a downlink control
information (DCI) message, or the DRS. In some other
implementations, the DL frequency hopping pattern may be a
cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and selecting the UL
frequency hopping pattern may include applying a constant offset in
modulo to the DL frequency hopping pattern. In some other
implementations, the DL frequency hopping pattern may be a
cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and the UL frequency
hopping pattern may be based on the DL frequency hopping pattern, a
user equipment identifier (UE ID), and a slot index.
[0186] In some implementations, the DRS in block 1702 also may
include one or more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a
secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast
channel (PBCH), a system information block (SIB), a slot format
indicator (SFI), or remaining minimum system information (RMSI). In
some instances, the DRS may be transmitted over an anchor channel,
and the DRS may have a dwell time on the anchor channel based on
one or more of the 3GPP standards. In some implementations, each of
the DL frequency hopping pattern and the UL frequency hopping
pattern may include at least 15 unique hopping channels, and each
of the at least 15 unique hopping channels may have a dwell time
based on one or more of the 3GPP standards.
[0187] In some implementations, the signal indicating the COT in
block 1704 may be one or more of a system information channel
occupancy time (SI-COT), a group-common physical downlink control
channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit preamble. In some
instances, the COT may be obtained based on a clear channel
assessment (CCA) procedure performed on the first hopping channel
of the DL frequency hopping pattern.
[0188] In some implementations, the DL data in block 1708 may be
transmitted over one of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)
or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). In some other
implementations, the UL data in block 1710 may be received over one
of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink
control channel (PUCCH).
[0189] FIG. 18 shows a flowchart depicting an example operation
1800 for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping
between a BS and a UE. The operation 1800 may be performed by a
wireless communication device such as the BS 102 of FIG. 1, the BS
310 of FIG. 3, or the BS 402 of FIG. 4. In some implementations,
the operation 1800 begins after the BS transmits the signal in
block 1706 of FIG. 17. For example, at block 1802, the BS may
contend for access to the first hopping channel of the DL frequency
hopping pattern using a clear channel assessment (CCA) procedure.
At block 1804, the BS may switch to another hopping channel of the
DL frequency hopping pattern after a number of unsuccessful CCA
procedures on the first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping
pattern.
[0190] FIG. 19 shows a flowchart depicting an example operation
1900 for wireless communication that supports frequency hopping
between a BS and a UE. The operation 1900 may be performed by a
wireless communication device such as the BS 102 of FIG. 1, the BS
310 of FIG. 3, or the BS 402 of FIG. 4. In some implementations,
the operation 1900 may be one example of selecting the UL frequency
hopping pattern in block 1704 of FIG. 17. For example, at block
1902, the BS may select a plurality of unique UL frequency hopping
patterns. At block 1904, the BS may allocate each unique UL
frequency hopping pattern of the plurality of unique UL frequency
hopping patterns to a respective user equipment (UE) of a plurality
of UEs.
[0191] Implementation examples are described in the following
numbered clauses: [0192] 1. A method for wireless communication
performed by an apparatus of a user equipment (UE), including:
[0193] receiving a discovery reference signal (DRS) indicating a
downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern; [0194] selecting an uplink
(UL) frequency hopping pattern; [0195] detecting a signal
indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained by a base
station on a first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping
pattern; [0196] receiving DL data on the first hopping channel of
the DL frequency hopping pattern; and [0197] transmitting UL data
on a first hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern.
[0198] 2. The method of clause 1, wherein the selection of the UL
frequency hopping pattern is based on the DL frequency hopping
pattern and at least one of a cell identifier, a user equipment
identifier (UE ID), or a group UE identifier. [0199] 3. The method
of clause 2, wherein the at least one of the cell identifier, the
UE ID, or the group UE identifier is received in one or more of a
radio resource control (RRC) configuration, a downlink control
information (DCI) message, or the DRS. [0200] 4. The method of
clause 1, wherein the DL frequency hopping pattern includes a
cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and selecting the UL
frequency hopping pattern includes applying a constant offset in
modulo to the DL frequency hopping pattern. [0201] 5. The method of
clause 1, wherein the DL frequency hopping pattern includes a
cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and the UL frequency
hopping pattern is based on the DL frequency hopping pattern, a
user equipment identifier (UE ID), and a slot index. [0202] 6. The
method of any of clauses 1-5, further including: [0203]
transmitting at least a portion of the UL data using configured
grant (CG) resources based on not detecting the signal within a
time period. [0204] 7. The method of any of clauses 1-6, wherein
the signal includes one or more of a system information channel
occupancy time (SI-COT), a group-common physical downlink control
channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit preamble. [0205] 8. The
method of any of clauses 1-7, wherein the DRS is received over an
anchor channel of an unlicensed frequency band. [0206] 9. The
method of any of clauses 1-8, wherein the UE receives the DL data
on the first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern
concurrently with transmitting the UL data on the first hopping
channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern. [0207] 10. The method
of any of clauses 1-9, wherein the first hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern is configured to carry time-multiplexed
UL data or frequency-multiplexed UL data transmitted from the UE
and from one or more other UEs during a first COT period. [0208]
11. The method of any of clauses 1-10, wherein the COT is obtained
based on a clear channel assessment (CCA) on the first hopping
channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern. [0209] 12. A wireless
communication device, including: [0210] an interface configured to:
[0211] obtain a discovery reference signal (DRS) indicating a
downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern; and [0212] a processing
system configured to: [0213] select an uplink (UL) frequency
hopping pattern; and [0214] the interface further configured to:
[0215] obtain a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT)
obtained by a base station on a first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern; [0216] obtain DL data on the first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern; and [0217]
output UL data for transmission on a first hopping channel of the
UL frequency hopping pattern. [0218] 13. The wireless communication
device of clause 12, wherein the selection of the UL frequency
hopping pattern is based on the DL frequency hopping pattern and at
least one of a cell identifier, a user equipment identifier (UEID),
or a group UE identifier. [0219] 14. The wireless communication
device of clause 12, wherein the DL frequency hopping pattern
includes a cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and selecting
the UL frequency hopping pattern includes applying a constant
offset in modulo to the DL frequency hopping pattern. [0220] 15.
The wireless communication device of clause 12, wherein the DL
frequency hopping pattern includes a cell-specific frequency
hopping pattern, and the UL frequency hopping pattern is based on
the DL frequency hopping pattern, a user equipment identifier (UE
ID), and a slot index. [0221] 16. The wireless communication device
of any of clauses 12-15, wherein the wireless communication device
receives the DL data on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern concurrently with transmitting the UL
data on the first hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping
pattern. [0222] 17. A method for wireless communication performed
by an apparatus of a base station (BS), including: [0223]
transmitting a discovery reference signal (DRS) over an unlicensed
frequency band, the DRS indicating a downlink (DL) frequency
hopping pattern; [0224] selecting an uplink (UL) frequency hopping
pattern; [0225] transmitting a signal indicating a channel
occupancy time (COT) obtained on a first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern; [0226] transmitting DL data on the first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern; and [0227]
receiving UL data on a first hopping channel of the UL frequency
hopping pattern. [0228] 18. The method of clause 17, wherein the
selection of the UL frequency hopping pattern is based on the DL
frequency hopping pattern and at least one of a cell identifier, a
user equipment identifier (UE ID), or a group UE identifier. [0229]
19. The method of clause 17, wherein the DL frequency hopping
pattern includes a cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and
selecting the UL frequency hopping pattern includes applying a
constant offset in modulo to the DL frequency hopping pattern.
[0230] 20. The method of clause 17, wherein the DL frequency
hopping pattern includes a cell-specific frequency hopping pattern,
and the UL frequency hopping pattern is based on the DL frequency
hopping pattern, a user equipment identifier (UE ID), and a slot
index. [0231] 21. The method of any of clauses 17-20, wherein the
signal includes one or more of a system information channel
occupancy time (SI-COT), a group-common physical downlink control
channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit preamble. [0232] 22. The
method of any of clauses 17-21, wherein transmitting the DL data
further includes: [0233] contending for access to the first hopping
channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern using a clear channel
assessment (CCA) procedure; and [0234] switching to another hopping
channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern after a number of
unsuccessful CCA procedures on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern. [0235] 23. The method of any of clauses
17-22, wherein the first hopping channel of the UL frequency
hopping pattern is configured to carry time-multiplexed UL data or
frequency-multiplexed UL data transmitted from the UE and from one
or more other UEs during a first COT period. [0236] 24. The method
of any of clauses 17-23, further including: [0237] selecting a
plurality of unique UL frequency hopping patterns; and [0238]
allocating each unique UL frequency hopping pattern of the
plurality of unique UL frequency hopping patterns to a respective
user equipment (UE) of a plurality of UEs. [0239] 25. The method of
clause 24, wherein each unique UL frequency hopping pattern is
based at least in part on the DL frequency hopping pattern and a
unique identifier of the respective UE. [0240] 26. A wireless
communication device, including: [0241] an interface configured to:
[0242] output a discovery reference signal (DRS) for transmission
over an unlicensed frequency band, the DRS indicating a downlink
(DL) frequency hopping pattern and an identifier; and [0243] output
a signal indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained on a
first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern; and
[0244] a processing system configured to: [0245] select an uplink
(UL) frequency hopping pattern; and [0246] the interface further
configured to: [0247] output DL data for transmission on the first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern; and [0248]
obtain UL data on a first hopping channel of the UL frequency
hopping pattern. [0249] 27. The wireless communication device of
clause 26, wherein the selection of the UL frequency hopping
pattern is based on the DL frequency hopping pattern and at least
one of a cell identifier, a user equipment identifier (UEID), or a
group UE identifier. [0250] 28. The wireless communication device
of any of clauses 26-27, wherein the interface is further
configured to: [0251] contend for access to the first hopping
channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern using a clear channel
assessment (CCA) procedure; and [0252] switch to another hopping
channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern after a number of
unsuccessful CCA procedures on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern. [0253] 29. The wireless communication
device of any of clauses 26-28, wherein the processing system is
further configured to: [0254] select a plurality of unique UL
frequency hopping patterns; and [0255] allocate each unique UL
frequency hopping pattern of the plurality of unique UL frequency
hopping patterns to a respective user equipment (UE) of a plurality
of UEs. [0256] 30. The wireless communication device of clause 29,
wherein each unique UL frequency hopping pattern is based at least
in part on the DL frequency hopping pattern and a unique identifier
of the respective UE. [0257] 31. A method for wireless
communication performed by an apparatus of a user equipment (UE),
including: [0258] receiving a discovery reference signal (DRS) on
an anchor channel of a frequency spectrum, the DRS indicating at
least one of a downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern or an uplink
(UL) frequency hopping pattern; [0259] detecting a signal
indicating a channel occupancy time (COT) obtained by a base
station on a first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping
pattern; and [0260] receiving DL data on the first hopping channel
of the DL frequency hopping pattern concurrently with transmitting
UL data on a first hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping
pattern. [0261] 32. The method of clause 31, further including:
[0262] transmitting at least a portion of the UL data using
configured grant (CG) resources based on not detecting the signal
within a time period. [0263] 33. The method of any of clauses
31-32, wherein the DRS indicates the DL frequency hopping pattern,
the method further including: [0264] deriving the UL frequency
hopping pattern based on the DL frequency hopping pattern. [0265]
34. The method of clause 33, wherein the UL frequency hopping
pattern is derived by applying a constant offset in modulo to the
DL frequency hopping pattern. [0266] 35. The method of clause 31,
wherein the DL frequency hopping pattern includes a first sequence
of hopping channels, and the UL frequency hopping pattern includes
a second sequence of hopping channels different than the first
sequence of hopping channels. [0267] 36. The method of clause 35,
wherein each hopping channel of the first sequence of hopping
channels is separated from a corresponding hopping channel of the
second sequence of hopping channels by at least a gap frequency.
[0268] 37. The method of any of clauses 35-36, wherein each hopping
channel of the first sequence of hopping channels is associated
with a corresponding DL hopping frame of a sequence of DL hopping
frames, and each hopping channel of the second sequence of hopping
channels is associated with a corresponding UL hopping frame of a
sequence of UL hopping frames. [0269] 38. The method of any of
clauses 35-37, wherein the frequency spectrum includes an
unlicensed frequency band in the 2.4 GHz frequency spectrum, each
hopping channel of the first sequence of hopping channels has a
bandwidth not greater than 5 MHz, and each hopping channel of the
second sequence of hopping channels has a bandwidth not greater
than 5 MHz. [0270] 39. The method of any of clauses 35-38, wherein
the DRS has a dwell time on the anchor channel based on one or more
of the 3GPP standards, each of the DL frequency hopping pattern and
the UL frequency hopping pattern includes at least 15 unique
hopping channels, and each of the at least 15 unique hopping
channels has a dwell time based on one or more of the 3GPP
standards. [0271] 40. The method of clause 31, wherein each of the
DL frequency hopping pattern and the UL frequency hopping pattern
is based at least in part on a cell ID and a slot index. [0272] 41.
The method of clause 31, wherein the DL frequency hopping pattern
includes a cell-specific frequency hopping pattern, and the UL
frequency hopping pattern includes the DL frequency hopping pattern
with a constant offset in modulo. [0273] 42. The method of any of
clauses 31-41, wherein the signal includes one or more of a system
information channel occupancy time (SI-COT), a group-common
physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit
preamble. [0274] 43. The method of any of clauses 31-42, wherein
the DRS includes one or more of a primary synchronization signal
(PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical
broadcast channel (PBCH), or a system information block (SIB).
[0275] 44. The method of any of clauses 31-43, wherein the DRS
includes a slot format indicator (SFI). [0276] 45. The method of
any of clauses 31-44, wherein the DRS includes remaining minimum
system information (RMSI) indicating the at least one of the DL
frequency hopping pattern or the UL frequency hopping pattern.
[0277] 46. The method of any of clauses 31-45, wherein the COT is
obtained based on a clear channel assessment (CCA) on the first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern. [0278] 47. The
method of clause 46, wherein transmitting the UL data further
includes: [0279] contending for access to the first hopping channel
of the UL frequency hopping pattern using a CCA-based channel
access procedure. [0280] 48. The method of clause 47, further
including: [0281] switching to another hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern after a number of unsuccessful CCA-based
channel access procedures on the first hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern. [0282] 49. The method of any of clauses
31-48, wherein the UE is configured for full-duplex communications.
[0283] 50. A user equipment (UE), including: [0284] one or more
processors; and [0285] a memory coupled to the one or more
processors and storing instructions that, when executed by the one
or more processors, cause the UE to perform the operations of any
one or more of clauses 31-49. [0286] 51. A user equipment (UE)
including means for performing the operations of any one or more of
clauses 31-49.
[0287] 52. A non-transitory computer-readable memory including
instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a
user equipment (UE), cause the UE to perform the operations of any
one or more of clauses 31-49. [0288] 53. A method for wireless
communication performed by a user equipment (UE), including: [0289]
receiving a discovery reference signal (DRS) on an anchor channel
of a frequency spectrum, the DRS indicating at least one of a
downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern or an uplink (UL) frequency
hopping pattern; [0290] detecting a signal indicating a first
channel occupancy time (COT) obtained by a base station on a first
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern; and [0291]
during the first COT: [0292] receiving DL data on the first hopping
channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern; [0293] switching to a
first hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern; and
[0294] transmitting UL data on the first hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern. [0295] 54. The method of clause 53,
wherein the UL data is transmitted using one of a physical uplink
shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel
(PUCCH). [0296] 55. The method of any of clauses 53-54, wherein the
DL data is received using one of a physical downlink shared channel
(PDSCH) or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). [0297] 56.
The method of any of clauses 53-55, further including: [0298]
during the first COT: [0299] returning to the first hopping channel
of the DL frequency hopping pattern; and [0300] receiving DL data
on the first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.
[0301] 57. The method of any of clauses 53-56, further including:
[0302] detecting a signal indicating a second COT obtained by the
base station on a second hopping channel of the DL frequency
hopping pattern; and [0303] during the second COT: [0304] receiving
DL data on the second hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping
pattern; [0305] switching to a second hopping channel of the UL
frequency hopping pattern; and [0306] transmitting UL data on the
second hopping channel of the UL frequency hopping pattern. [0307]
58. The method of clause 57, further including: [0308] during the
second COT: [0309] returning to the second hopping channel of the
DL frequency hopping pattern; and [0310] receiving DL data on the
second hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern. [0311]
59. The method of clause 53, wherein the DRS indicates the DL
frequency hopping pattern, the method further including: [0312]
deriving the UL frequency hopping pattern by applying a constant
offset in modulo to the DL frequency hopping pattern. [0313] 60.
The method of any of clauses 53-59, wherein the DL frequency
hopping pattern includes a first sequence of hopping channels, and
the UL frequency hopping pattern includes a second sequence of
hopping channels different than the first sequence of hopping
channels. [0314] 61. The method of clause 60, wherein each hopping
channel of the first sequence of hopping channels is separated from
a corresponding hopping channel of the second sequence of hopping
channels by a constant frequency gap. [0315] 62. The method of
clause 61, wherein the constant frequency gap is based on a modulo
operation of the DL frequency hopping pattern. [0316] 63. The
method of any of clauses 60-62, wherein each hopping channel of the
first sequence of hopping channels is associated with a
corresponding DL hopping frame of a sequence of DL hopping frames,
and each hopping channel of the second sequence of hopping channels
is associated with a corresponding UL hopping frame of a sequence
of UL hopping frames. [0317] 64. The method of any of clauses
53-63, wherein at least one DL hopping frame of the sequence of DL
hopping frames contains DL data for one or more wireless
communication devices other than the UE. [0318] 65. The method of
clause 53, wherein each of the DL frequency hopping pattern and the
UL frequency hopping pattern is based at least in part on a cell ID
and a slot index. [0319] 66. The method of clause 53, wherein the
DL frequency hopping pattern includes a cell-specific frequency
hopping pattern, and the UL frequency hopping pattern is derived by
applying a constant offset in modulo to the DL frequency hopping
pattern. [0320] 67. The method of any of clauses 53-66, wherein the
signal includes one or more of a system information channel
occupancy time (SI-COT), a group-common physical downlink control
channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit preamble. [0321] 68. The
method of any of clauses 53-67, wherein the DRS includes one or
more of a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary
synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH),
or a system information block (SIB). [0322] 69. The method of any
of clauses 53-68, wherein the DRS includes a slot format indicator
(SFI). [0323] 70. The method of any of clauses 53-69, wherein the
DRS includes remaining minimum system information (RMSI) indicating
the at least one of the DL frequency hopping pattern or the UL
frequency hopping pattern. [0324] 71. The method of any of clauses
53-70, wherein the UE is configured for half-duplex communications.
[0325] 72. A user equipment (UE), including: [0326] one or more
processors; and [0327] a memory coupled to the one or more
processors and storing instructions that, when executed by the one
or more processors, cause the UE to perform the operations of any
one or more of clauses 53-71. [0328] 73. A user equipment (UE)
including means for performing the operations of any one or more of
clauses 53-71. [0329] 74. A non-transitory computer-readable memory
including instructions that, when executed by one or more
processors of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to perform the
operations of any one or more of clauses 53-71. [0330] 75. A method
for wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE),
including: [0331] receiving a discovery reference signal (DRS) on
an anchor channel of a frequency spectrum, the DRS indicating a
downlink (DL) frequency hopping pattern; [0332] determining an
uplink (UL) frequency hopping pattern based at least in part on the
DL frequency hopping pattern and an identifier unique to the UE;
[0333] detecting a signal indicating a first channel occupancy time
(COT) obtained by a base station on a first hopping channel of the
DL frequency hopping pattern; and [0334] during the first COT:
[0335] receiving DL data on the first hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern; [0336] switching to a first hopping
channel of the determined UL frequency hopping pattern; and [0337]
transmitting UL data on the first hopping channel of the determined
UL frequency hopping pattern. [0338] 76. The method of clause 75,
wherein the UL data is transmitted using one of a physical uplink
shared channel (PUSCH) or a physical uplink control channel
(PUCCH). [0339] 77. The method of any of clauses 75-76, wherein the
DL data is received using one of a physical downlink shared channel
(PDSCH) or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). [0340] 78.
The method of any of clauses 75-77, further including: [0341]
during the first COT: [0342] returning to the first hopping channel
of the DL frequency hopping pattern; and [0343] receiving DL data
on the first hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern.
[0344] 79. The method of clause 78, further including: [0345]
detecting a signal indicating a second COT obtained by the base
station on a second hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping
pattern; and [0346] during the second COT: [0347] receiving DL data
on the second hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern;
[0348] switching to a second hopping channel of the determined UL
frequency hopping pattern; and [0349] transmitting UL data on the
second hopping channel of the determined UL frequency hopping
pattern. [0350] 80. The method of clause 79, further including:
[0351] during the second COT: [0352] returning to the second
hopping channel of the DL frequency hopping pattern; and [0353]
receiving DL data on the second hopping channel of the DL frequency
hopping pattern. [0354] 81. The method of clause 75, further
including: [0355] detecting a signal indicating a second COT
obtained by the base station on a second hopping channel of the DL
frequency hopping pattern; and [0356] during the second COT: [0357]
receiving DL data on the second hopping channel of the DL frequency
hopping pattern; and [0358] staying on the second hopping channel
of the DL frequency hopping pattern based on an absence of buffered
UL data in the UE. [0359] 82. The method of any of clauses 75-81,
wherein the DL frequency hopping pattern includes a first sequence
of hopping channels, and the determined UL frequency hopping
pattern includes a second sequence of hopping channels different
than the first sequence of hopping channels. [0360] 83. The method
of clause 82, wherein: [0361] each hopping channel of the first
sequence of hopping channels is associated with a corresponding DL
hopping frame of a sequence of DL hopping frames; [0362] each
hopping channel of the second sequence of hopping channels is
associated with a corresponding UL hopping frame of a sequence of
UL hopping frames; [0363] one or more of the DL hopping frames of
the sequence of DL hopping frames contains DL data for at least one
wireless communication device other than the UE; and [0364] each UL
hopping frame of the sequence of UL hopping frames is dedicated for
UL transmissions from the UE. [0365] 84. The method of any of
clauses 75-83, wherein the signal includes one or more of a system
information channel occupancy time (SI-COT), a group-common
physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH), or a common transmit
preamble. [0366] 85. The method of any of clauses 75-84, wherein
the DRS includes one or more of a primary synchronization signal
(PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical
broadcast channel (PBCH), or a system information block (SIB).
[0367] 86. The method of any of clauses 75-85, wherein the DRS
includes a slot format indicator (SFI). [0368] 87. The method of
any of clauses 75-86, wherein the DRS includes remaining minimum
system information (RMSI) indicating the DL frequency hopping
pattern. [0369] 88. The method of any of clauses 75-87, wherein the
UE is configured for half-duplex communications. [0370] 89. The
method of any of clauses 75-88, further including: [0371] detecting
a collision on the first hopping channel of the determined UL
frequency hopping pattern; and [0372] transmitting the UL data on a
second hopping channel of the determined UL frequency hopping
pattern. [0373] 90. The method of clause 89, wherein the second
hopping channel of the determined UL frequency hopping pattern
includes time-multiplexed UL data or frequency-multiplexed data
from one or more wireless communication devices other than the UE.
[0374] 91. The method of any of clauses 75-90, wherein the
determined UL frequency hopping pattern includes one UL frequency
hopping pattern of a plurality of different UL frequency hopping
patterns. [0375] 92. The method of clause 91, wherein each UL
frequency hopping pattern of the plurality of different UL
frequency hopping patterns is allocated to a corresponding UE of a
plurality of UEs. [0376] 93. The method of clause 92, wherein each
UL frequency hopping pattern of the plurality of different UL
frequency hopping patterns is based at least in part on the DL
frequency hopping pattern and an identifier unique to the
corresponding UE of the plurality of UEs. [0377] 94. The method of
any of clauses 91-93, wherein the plurality of different UL
frequency hopping patterns are uncoordinated with respect to each
other. [0378] 95. The method of any of clauses 75-94, wherein the
determined UL frequency hopping pattern includes an orthogonal UL
frequency hopping pattern of a plurality of orthogonal UL frequency
hopping patterns. [0379] 96. The method of any of clauses 75-95,
wherein each orthogonal UL frequency hopping pattern of the
plurality of orthogonal UL frequency hopping patterns is allocated
to a corresponding UE of a plurality of UEs. [0380] 97. The method
of clause 96, wherein each orthogonal UL frequency hopping pattern
of the plurality of orthogonal UL frequency hopping patterns is
based at least in part on a modulo of the DL frequency hopping
pattern and an identifier unique to the corresponding UE of the
plurality of UEs. [0381] 98. The method of any of clauses 95-97,
wherein the plurality of orthogonal UL frequency hopping patterns
are coordinated with respect to each other. [0382] 99. A user
equipment (UE), including: [0383] one or more processors; and
[0384] a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing
instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors,
cause the UE to perform the operations of any one or more of
clauses 75-98. [0385] 100. A user equipment (UE) including means
for performing the operations of any one or more of clauses 75-98.
[0386] 101. A non-transitory computer-readable memory including
instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a
user equipment (UE), cause the UE to perform the operations of any
one or more of clauses 75-98.
[0387] As used herein, a phrase referring to "at least one of" a
list of items refers to any combination of those items, including
single members. As an example, "at least one of: a, b, or c" is
intended to cover: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.
[0388] The various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules,
circuits and algorithm processes described in connection with the
implementations disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic
hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. The
interchangeability of hardware and software has been described
generally, in terms of functionality, and illustrated in the
various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits and
processes described above. Whether such functionality is
implemented in hardware or software depends upon the particular
application and design constraints imposed on the overall
system.
[0389] The hardware and data processing apparatus used to implement
the various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and
circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein
may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or
multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field
programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device,
discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or
any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described
herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or,
any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state
machine. A processor also may be implemented as a combination of
computing devices (such as a combination of a DSP and a
microprocessor), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more
microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such
configuration. In some implementations, particular processes and
methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given
function.
[0390] In one or more aspects, the functions described may be
implemented in hardware, digital electronic circuitry, computer
software, firmware, including the structures disclosed in this
specification and their structural equivalents thereof, or in any
combination thereof. Implementations of the subject matter
described in this specification also can be implemented as one or
more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer
program instructions, encoded on a computer storage media for
execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing
apparatus.
[0391] If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on
or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a
computer-readable medium. The processes of a method or algorithm
disclosed herein may be implemented in a processor-executable
software module which may reside on a computer-readable medium.
Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and
communication media including any medium that can be enabled to
transfer a computer program from one place to another. A storage
media may be any available media that may be accessed by a
computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such
computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or
other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic
storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to store
desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures
and that may be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection can be
properly termed a computer-readable medium. Disk and disc, as used
herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc,
digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where
disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce
data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also
be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
Additionally, the operations of a method or algorithm may reside as
one or any combination or set of codes and instructions on a
machine readable medium and computer-readable medium, which may be
incorporated into a computer program product.
[0392] Various modifications to the implementations described in
this disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to
other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of
this disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to
the implementations shown herein, but are to be accorded the widest
scope consistent with this disclosure, the principles and the novel
features disclosed herein.
* * * * *